William Madison Martin passed away December 4, 2021 at the age of 97. He was born September 22, 1924 to the late Reverend James Daniel Martin and Kitty White Wilson. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jean Cooley Martin; siblings, Margaret Cheney, Jane Sinner, Daniel Martin, Katie Creek, and Polly Scilken.
Bill spent most of his childhood in Lebanon, Indiana. He moved to New Albany in 1940. He was in the class of 1943 at New Albany High School. After the war, he attended Purdue University and was employed by E.I. Dupont until he retired. He was an Army Air Corp veteran of World War II. He married his high school sweetheart, Jean, and they were by each other's side until her death in 2011. You never saw Bill without Jean. They attended Grace Presbyterian Church weekly. Bill and Jean had an adventurous life together. They enjoyed the outdoors and made their way through all 50 states camping and hiking. They traveled from the jungles of Yucatan to the frozen tundra of the Arctic Circle. They were through hikers on the Appalachian Trail. They rode a tandem bike from Washington State to Maryland. They were runners in many mini marathons and even were honored to run the torch for the Pan Am Games.
Bill was a morning member of the McDonald's breakfast crew and a founding member of the World War II Roundtable. He was honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 2019.
He has left his family with the legacy and love of nature and the outdoors, to always try to build the better mousetrap, to get up in the middle of the night to see Haley's Comet, to take the road less traveled, and no matter where life leads you, be prepared, and "always have the map".
Bill is survived by his children, Micki Sellmer (Randy), Jacki Kincaid, Kit Rager (Larry), and Bill Martin Jr. (Shawn); his grandchildren, Jeff Dempsey, Chris Dempsey, Lance Rager, Kara O'Neil, Nick Kincaid, Elise Stephens, Kyle Rager, Kaeti Kincaid, Martin Sellmer, K.Leigh Sellmer, Jaxon Martin, and Sawyer Martin; 16 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren.
Visitation will be 12 pm ~ 6 pm Sunday and after 9 am Monday at Kraft Funeral Service, 708 E. Spring Street, New Albany IN. His Funeral Service will be 11 am Monday in the Kraft Spring Street Chapel.
You may share fond memories or offer condolences to the Martin family by visiting www.kraftfuneralservice.net.
