William “Bill” Horvath, Stevens Point … age 87, died on May 22, 2025, while under the care of hospice and family.
He graduated in 1962 from UW-Stevens Point with a B.S. in English and Conservation. He pursued additional education at the University of Michigan and graduated with his M.A. in Natural Resource Management.
On August 19, 1961, he married Nancy M. Damrau at Trinity Lutheran Church.
William was a Field Representative with the PA Soil and Water Conservation Commission from 1962 to 1964. From 1964 to 1966 he was the Executive Secretary with the MD State Conservation Committee. He later became the Executive Secretary of the Wisconsin Soil Conservation Board from 1967 to 1972. William then transitioned to a role as Regional Representative of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) from 1972 to 1997, and later became the Director of NACD Policy Center and was a Forestry Specialist with NACD until he retired in 2006.
Bill lived in both Stevens Point and Whiting, Wisconsin, and was actively involved in state, county and local government. Additionally, from November 11, 1983 to the end of his term, he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly having been elected in a special election. Bill was active on many boards and committees, among them was the UWSP Alumni Association and the UWSP Foundation. He was a charter member of WWOA and served on the WWOA Board of Directors from 2002-20211. He received the WWOA Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the WI Conservation Hall of Fame.
William will be remembered for his lifelong commitment to promoting conservation management. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, deer and turkey hunting. He enjoyed the serenity nature offered and the splendor of spending time with his family. William was a man of faith and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation will precede at the church from 10 a.m. to the time of services. A light lunch and conversation will follow the memorial services. Burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery, Amherst, WI.