William Fey Huffman, the Wisconsin journalist and media owner known for his engagement in a broad range of community issues and organizations supporting the environment, Wisconsin history, and journalism, died Saturday, March 1, 2008. Bill graduated in 1950 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in agricultural journalism. During the 1950s he led a successful effort to establish a tough open public meetings law in Wisconsin, and helped to underwrite a new journalism school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1991, the School of Journalism awarded him the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Service, describing Bill as “one of the most respected leaders of the Wisconsin newspaper and broadcast industries” because of his commitment to public affairs. In 1993, Bill received the Honorary Recognition Award from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences for facilitating news on “agriculture, family living and natural resources” in his media outlets. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome contributions to the University of Wisconsin Foundation-William F. Huffman Fund, which supports environmental research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Limnology’s Trout Lake Station in northern Wisconsin.
Office of Strategic Communication