William "Bill" Konopnicki

Biographical Information

The following is from SCR 1021, 51st Legislatue, First Regular session (2013)

 

The Honorable Bill Konopnicki, former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, passed away on October 17, 2012 at the age of sixty-seven.

Born in Detroit, Bill Konopnicki moved with his family to Yuma, Arizona when he was five years old. He attended Kofa High School and Arizona Western College before going on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees from Arizona State University. He received his doctorate degree in higher education from the University of Arizona and worked for Tucson area public schools, Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. Bill Konopnicki moved to Safford, Arizona in 1972, where he worked at Eastern Arizona College and served on the governing board of the Safford School District and the operating board of the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. An astute businessman, he owned and operated numerous fast food franchises and radio stations in eastern Arizona and served as chief executive officer of WSK Management Services.

In 2002, Bill Konopnicki was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives as a representative of Arizona's Fifth Legislative District. Over the course of his four legislative terms, he capably served his constituents and the citizens of Arizona as chairman of the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. In 2008, he was named as the Legislator of the Year by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During his tenure, he distinguished himself as an exceptionally principled, thoughtful and generous public servant, and he earned the well-deserved respect and admiration of his peers on both sides of the political aisle.

Despite the demands of his work as a businessman and legislator, Bill Konopnicki gave generously of his time, energy and efforts to numerous worthwhile charitable organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys and Girls Clubs and Ronald McDonald Houses. He was also dedicated to his church and served as a bishop and a stake president for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Dedicated to his family, Bill Konopnicki is survived by his wife, Cathy, their four children, David, Kristine, Michael and Sara, and ten grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends and the people of the State of Arizona.

Education

Educational Doctorate: Higher Education Administration, University of Arizona, 1974.

Master Arts: Education, Arizona State University, 1968.

Bachelors, (n.d.) (n.d.)

Employment

Arizona Legislative Service

Sources

Birth: 2003 Guide to the 46th Legislature (green book)

 

Education: 2010 Guide to the Legislature (Greenbook)