Tribute to MIKE WILLIAMS (1942-2010)

IN MEMORIAM: MIKE WILLIAMS (1942-2010)

Mike Williams, National President of the Izaak Walton League of America, passed away in the early morning hours of March 2, 2010, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was champion to the very end, resolute in his passion to protect our wetlands, native prairies, and open spaces and in doing so echoed our mission statement "to strive for the purity of water".

He was a conservationist, a sportsman, a diplomat, a leader, and a friend. He impacted the life of every one who knew him and made the world a better place to live. Recalling our days of hunting or fishing when he would have the bigger prize, he would often say, "It's good to be the king." And so, I salute you, my friend. You were the king in so very many ways. -- Jim Madsen, IWLA Vice President

Mike's Story

Right after college I spent a couple of years teaching school. During that period, 1966-1969, I joined the Izaak Walton League in Clark, SD. I left Clark and moved to Rapid City, SD in 1973 then on to Greeley Colorado in 1979. During that time my father and friends established a chapter in Watertown, SD whereupon I immediately became a charter member. Upon my return to Watertown twenty years ago I was elected (more like appointed) chapter president and over the years served every office in the chapter. I went on to serve as treasurer, vice president and president of the South Dakota Division. During that era I became a national director and was encouraged to become vice president and eventually President of the League, a position I currently serve.

I feel very privileged to have good friends in the SD League who have supported these appointments, especially Jim Madsen, Jerry Schlekeway, Chuck Clayton, members of the McCook Lake Chapter, Bob Bemis, Don Crouse, and many others in our successful chapter.

The Izaak Walton League is a grass-roots hands-on conservation organization that serves its community first but does stand for conservation issues that are important to all citizens of our country. I am proud to serve and encourage all Ikes to step forward when it is your turn and lead our organizational chapters and show others how much you care about our environment.

A HUSH CAN BE HEARD (WRITTEN BY MIKE WILLIAMS) "There is no cathedral as beautiful as a sunrise on the prairie. God bursts forth from the periwinkle sky with colors unmatched, I am now where the canvasback will always fly. The greatest gift you give is love. It is seen in your smile."

Watch the Tribute Video of Mike that was shown at the 2010 National IWLA Convention.

Mike's Accomplishments

IWLA Offices held:

Mike has been a member of the Kampeska Chapter for 31ears,

during that time he was:

• Member of the Endowment board 2001-2003
• Served 6 years as President of Kampeska Chapter 1989 to 1995
• Serving his 9th year as Treasurer of Kampeska Chapter
• Serving 17 years as news editor
• Served 6 years as SD Division Treasurer 1992 to 1998
• Served 4 years as SD Division Vice President 1998 to 2002
• Served 4 years as SD Division President ending 2006
• Served 4 years as SD Division News Editor
• Serving his 8th year on the National Ag Affairs resolution committee
• Serving his 12^th year as National Director
• Served 2 years as National Vice President 2006 to 2007
• Served 2 years as National President 2007 to 2009

Mike is the project coordinator for the Upper Big Sioux River Watershed (UBS) located out of Watertown, South Dakota. The UBS is organized as a non profit entity under the umbrella of the City of Watertown and is responsible for administering 319 and other funds in a 212,000 acre watershed for watershed improvement projects.

Below are listed several boards and committees Mike has served on:

• Received Chapter Tobin Award 1995
• Received SD Division Eakins-Ensberg Award 1996
• Received a National IWLA Conservation Award 2000
• Received SD Wildlife Society Citizen Award of Excellence for wildlife Management 2005
• Received City of Watertown Mayor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in Protection of the Watershed 2005.
• Received SD Ducks Unlimited Conservation Award 1999
• Received SD Wildlife Federation Water Conservationist of the Year Award 1998
• Mike was twice nominated for a National Wetlands Award

Additional skills and experience:

Below are listed several boards and committees Mike has served on:

Represents SD Division on the Natural Resources Conservation Committee

Represented SD Division on the Board of Directors of Keep South Dakota Green

Represents SD Division on the South Dakota Non Point Pollution Task Force

Represented SD Division 2 years on the NRCS Wetlands Working Group

Represented Kampeska Chapter on Environmental Protection Agency 319 $9.000,000.00 watershed restoration project; 6 years as Advisory Board Chairman and 12 years as project coordinator.

Member of SD Lakes and Streams Association

Sponsor Member of Ducks Unlimited.

Member SD Wildlife Federation