William “Bill” John Heiken Sept. 5, 1951 – Sept. 11, 2023

    William “Bill” John Heiken, 72, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on Sept. 11 at Luther Manor Nursing Home.  Wrapped in love with quilts made by his wife and sister, and in keeping with Bill’s lifelong commitment to the environment, Bill had a green burial of life to life in a hickory stand at the Natural Path Sanctuary in the Farley Center in Verona, Wis. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa assisted the family. 

    Bill was born on Sept. 5, 1951 in Monticello Iowa to John H. Heiken and Helen Gilford Heiken. Bill attended Monticello High School, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and was the first person to pass the Silviculture Bar exam on the first try after attending the Silviculture Institute at the University of Washington and Oregon State University.

    Bill and Wendy were married in Metaline Falls, Wash. on Feb. 9, 1974.

    Bill had a 25-year career with the USDA Forest Service in the Sierra National Forest, Colville National Forest and as a Silviculturist (Ecosystem Environmental Management) on the Olympic, Nez Perce, Malheur, Okanogan, Gifford Pinchot, and Flathead Forests.  Significant accomplishments during his career included the development of a pine seed orchard that provided seedlings of various characteristics for reforestation in Idaho and Montana.  He also traveled to Washington, DC as an expert to evaluate the ecosystem management plans and fire dynamics in the southwest region of the US. 

    After retiring, Bill and his wife, Wendy, owned the Annie Wiggins Guest House and the Ryan Mansion in Galena, Ill.  Bill also worked for IIW Engineers and Lowes for a short time.

    Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Wendy Lange Heiken; mother, Helen Gilford Heiken; siblings, Sandy Heiken McAvan (Gary), Les Heiken (Carrie Frasher), Judy Heiken Folken (Don), Ken Heiken; children, Aleah Heiken Ing (David), Benjamin Heiken (Laura), Olivia Heiken; and seven grandchildren.  Bill is preceded in death by his father, John “Jack” Heiken, and grandson, Gryphon Metcalf.

    Memorials donations in his honor can be sent to Hospice of Dubuque and the FarleyCenter.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ecological sustainability, social justice and peace.