William C. Mcmartin

William Clair McMartin, one of nine children of Ernest Kier McMartin and Rose Annis (Hendrix) McMartin, was born at his parent's farm home southwest of Carson, Iowa on July 31, 1915. Bill attended Lone Star Country School near Carson through the 8th grade and graduated from Carson High School in 1934. He began his farming career and seed corn business during his senior year of high school.
Bill met his future wife, Muriel Anza Donnelly, on a blind date. On February 22, 1939 they were married at the Donnelly home near Neola, Iowa. They made their home on a farm near Carson where Bill farmed and continued his seed corn business. The marriage was blessed with their three children, James William, Kathleen Muriel, and Mary Louise.
Bill and Muriel belonged to the Carson United Methodist Church where Bill had served as chairman of the church and on the finance committee. In 1968, they moved from the farm to a home in Carson. Bill served on the Carson City Council and was a member of the ASCS Committee. Bill and Muriel enjoyed being with their family and friends and being active in church and community events.
In 1979, Bill retired from farming after more than 45 years and continued his seed corn business until 2003. In 1995, Bill and Muriel moved into their new home in Carson. In March of 2003, their health forced them to move to the Oakland Manor Nursing Home in Oakland, Iowa where they shared a room and enjoyed fellowship with other residents. They had been married 65 years when Muriel died on December 22, 2004. Bill continued to live at the Manor until his death on November 20, 2006, at the age of 91 years, 3 months, and 19 days.
Bill was preceded in death by two infant siblings; parents Ernest and Rose McMartin; wife Muriel McMartin; brothers Kenneth and Keith McMartin; sisters Helen Herold, Marguerite Ruehle, and Dorothy Shutters; granddaughter Jill Achenbaugh Jirak and great grandchildren Samantha McMartin, Kobe Moore, and Kane Jirak.
Bill is survived by his son James McMartin and wife Kaye of Oakland, Iowa; daughters Kathleen Hendricks and husband Donnie of Carson and Mary Homfeld and husband Lester of Higginsville, MO; brother Chester McMartin of West Roxbury, Massachusetts; five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to Carson Fire and Rescue, Carson Methodist Church, or Carson Rodeo.