January 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 29 Barb and Bill with their family. Pictured, left to right, are Ryan, Tatum and Judy Terwilliger; Garrett and Jill Wolforth; Lathan Brandt; Barb; Jacob Terwilliger; Bill; Derrick Brandt; Krissy Prine; Joy Brandt and Jim Holtmeyer. Bill, left, with Trey and Dayna Wasserburger, alongside Bill’s Saddle & Sirloin portrait. The Wasserburgers purchased Rishel Ranch and the Rishel Angus herd from Bill and Barb in 2017. Barb Rishel, Bill’s partner in their life journey and businesses, shares in the ceremony honoring Bill. Widespread Support “Bill’s great passion for the beef industry has made it hard for other people not to want to be involved. He is an out-of-the-box thinker who challenges the status quo and never runs from a controversial issue. He embraces the pros and cons and helps find a solution. Bill is that person who asks the difficult question to make producers think, that everyone else is afraid to ask. Bill believes in looking forward and not looking in the rearview mirror.” – Craig Uden, NC President and 2017 NCBA President “Nebraska Cattlemen leans on leaders like Bill to continually take our membership to the next level. He is a forward thinker who has a sense of balance in our ever-changing world. He made a lifetime commitment to give back to the industry that has provided opportunities for him and his family. With his litany of accomplishments, one could sit back on his own laurels and enjoy life, but Bill continues to look to the future and see what is on the horizon. – Pete McClymont, retired NC Executive Vice President “Bill has never sought out the spotlight. He has also never shied away from change or challenge! Rather, Bill has consistently embraced change as a function of growth and innovation and has relentlessly sought ways to improve the lot of all beef producers. … His success is a direct result of putting his ‘principles in practice’ for himself and hundreds of other producers who have relied on his germplasm and his advice.” – Mark Boggess, Ph.D., USDA-ARS Meat Animal Research Center “The industry needs more people like him – people who are willing to delve into the weeds to understand an issue, capable of taking a stand and giving his opinion, yet with enough maturity and grace to accept a mid-course correction when it’s appropriate.” – Chris Calkins, UNL Animal Science Professor Emeritus “It’s worth remembering that what might seem ordinary today, was not ordinary at one time. It takes a trailblazer to mold an idea and turn it into reality. More times than not, you can look back and see Bill at the outset of many important industry trails, especially those trails that resulted in a higher quality, flavorful and consistent beef product for consumers!” – Patsy Houghton, Heartland Cattle Company, McCook “Bill has clearly had a tremendous impact on the beef cattle industry as evidenced by his success as a nucleus breeder of Angus cattle. However, I would submit to this [nominating] committee that his greatest impact will be through the countless lives he has inspired through his unrelenting quest to help others take the torch and continue to improve an industry that he clearly loves.” – Matt Spangler, Ph.D., UNL Animal Genetics Professor, Extension Beef Genetics Specialist “Bill is comfortable with people within the industry and, even more importantly, comfortable with people outside the industry ready to share his story of agriculture. We have seen him converse with college-age students, folks on the street and the most admired individuals within the beef community, and everyone enjoys listening to what Bill has to say. He also has the unique ability to ask questions that engage people and bring even more information to the discussion.” – Goerge and Barb Cooksley, Anselmo
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