William Joseph Kuntz of Loveland, CO, formally of Belfield, ND passed away Saturday September 25, 2004 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Dickinson.

William was born on December 16, 1959 in Dickinson, ND to Stanley and Tillie Fisher Kuntz. He grew up and attended school at St. Bernard’s Grade School and later graduated from Belfield High School in 1978. He attended NDSU where he received his Agriculture Economics Degree in 1982. Bill began work in Edgly, ND in a seed cleaning plant. In the mid 1980’s he began working in sales for Busch Ag Resources in Moorhead, MN. On May 23, 1987 Bill was married to Sheila Hardy in the St. John’s The Baptist Catholic Church in Beach. He later began working in sales for Keltgen Seed Company. He then worked as a ND crop Improvement Association where he served as executive secretary. William began work for the North Dakota State Seed Department where he was the State Seed Certification Specialist. The seed industry will miss Bill. His contribution over a 21-year period of tireless dedication to the seed industry and helping farmers was immense. He held a number of important positions including Administrator of the North Dakota Crop Improvement Assn., Director of Field Seed Services for the North Dakota State Seed Department, and National Marketing Manager for AgriPro Wheat. He was a long- standing Board member of the Association of Official Seed Certification Agencies including service on the executive committee. He was a board member of the North Dakota State University Research Foundation. Bill received numerous awards including the Outstanding Service Award from the NDSU Research Foundation and a Distinguished Service Award from the North Dakota Crop Improvement Association. Bill has been an integral part of AgriPro’s strong growth since he joined the team. Throughout his career, Bill served as a mentor to seedsmen and seed related organizations nationwide. His leadership helped elevate the North Dakota industry into its current prominent position and his guidance helped direct the enhancement of seed industries in many other states. The entire US seed industry mourns the loss of such an outstanding individual.

He loved to spend time with his family and children, being outdoors, golfing or working on his home improvements, especially his yard. Bill loved being able to return to the family farm and help his father with the harvest or putting in the crop. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus of North Dakota and Colorado and volunteered time to the Loveland High School Marching Band.

Survivors include: his wife, Shelly; a son, Christopher and a daughter, Jennifer all of Loveland, CO; seven brothers, Dan (Mary) Kuntz, Bismarck, Ray Kuntz, Helena, MT, Pat Kuntz, Las Vegas, NV, Larry (Jamie) Kuntz, Helena, Ted Kuntz, Reno, NV, Roy Kuntz, Kirkland, WA and Wally (Pam) Kuntz, Moville, IA; three sisters, Joan (Tom) Cave, Great Falls, MT, Joyce (Bill) Stewart, Issaqwah, WA and Janel (Kevin) Keating Bonney Lake, WA; his brother and sister-in-laws: Don (Jean) Hardy, Beach, Kathy (Jerry) Bodensteiner, Wahpeton, ND, John (Gayle) Hardy, Battle Mountain, WA and Mike (Barb) Hardy, Fargo; and numerous nieces and nephews.