South Dakota's longest serving Governor and former Congressman passed away on January 12, 2012.

William John "Bill" Janklow, son of Arthur and Lou Ella Janklow, was born in Chicago on September 13, 1939. His father was a prosecutor of Nazi officials at the Nuremburg Civil Trials in Germany during the aftermath of World War II. After Arthur died of a heart attack, his wife Lou Ella moved their six young children (including Bill, age 10) eventually returning to her home town of Flandreau, SD.

A self-avowed juvenile delinquent, Bill dropped out of high school following his sophomore year. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps, attending basic training at Camp Pendleton, CA. He served abroad in
Okinawa, Japan, and defended the islands of Quemoy and Matsu.

Following an honorable discharge in 1959, he returned home and married Flandreau native Mary Dean Thom on September 3, 1960. Together, they raised three children: Russell, Pam and Shonna.

In 1960, Bill enrolled at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. When University officials discovered that Bill lacked a high school diploma, he characteristically talked them into allowing him to stay if his grades were good. They were! He received a Business Degree in 1964 and proceeded to USD Law School, receiving a Juris Doctorate in 1966.

Following graduation, Bill became a lawyer for Legal Aid Services on the Rosebud Reservation, later becoming the director of the Legal Aid program in South Dakota. During his tenure he handled over 4,300 requests for assistance from Native Americans. Only two years out of law school, he was selected as the outstanding Legal Aid lawyer in America. Later, as the Chief Prosecutor for the Attorney General's office, he successfully prosecuted members of the American Indian Movement over riots at the Custer County Courthouse, as well as other prosecutions.

South Dakota voters elected Bill Attorney General in 1974. During his years in office, he argued and won three cases before the United States Supreme Court.

He served four unprecedented four-year terms as Governor, first elected in 1978 (when he was only 39), 1982, 1994, and 1998. In the 1982 election, he was elected Governor by the largest percentage of votes in the history of the state. The voters elected him the state's sole member of Congress in 2002.

Bill campaigned and governed on the pledge of "Putting the Taxpayers First." He made state government smaller, innovative, and more efficient. He insisted the government be run like a business, but still have a heart. He had the state buy the bankrupt railroads, lease them, and then eventually sold them, creating millions in profits to farmers and ranchers. He created and funded the state's first comprehensive water development plan that resulted in the construction of over 50,000 miles of rural water systems. His "Workfare" program led directly to federal welfare reform.

Literally on a handshake, he brought Citibank and other financial service companies to South Dakota, broadening the state's economic base and creating tens of thousands of jobs.

He converted USD/Springfield into a minimum security prison where inmates learned marketable job skills, including the construction of hundreds of affordable, energy-efficient homes - now known as the Governor's House Program.

In 1984, more than a decade before the federal government opened the Internet for public use, he changed the mission of Dakota State University in Madison to a nationally acclaimed computer school. Using prison inmates, he wired the state's K-12 school buildings plus colleges and universities for Internet access; earning South Dakota the honor of being the most wired state in America. He brought a roll-up-your sleeves approach onto the management scenes of the state's response to blizzards, floods, fires, and tornadoes. He promoted South Dakota through such activities as the Governor's Pheasant Hunt, Governor's Snowmobile Ride, Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park, and Christmas Trees in the State Capitol in Pierre.

A decorated veteran of his country's military service and member of the DAV, he dedicated the World War II Memorial on the shores of the Capitol Lake in Pierre. The ceremony, held right after 9-11, was a touching event bringing thousands of South Dakotans together to honor the Greatest Generation.

Bill was best described not as Attorney General, Governor, or a Congressman, but as an advocate for those who needed a voice. He started his career as a lawyer who vigorously represented his clients. It only makes sense that he spent his final years as an advocate for clients and representing abused and neglected children without being compensated at the law firm he founded, Janklow Law Offices. Over three years ago his son Russell joined him, and together they were able to build a successful practice.

Bill was a diehard fan of the Chicago Bears and delighted in taking his children, grandchildren, and friends to the games. He had one of the largest private collections of Rock and Roll music from the 1950's which he enjoyed playing for others. As "BJ the DJ", he raised over $2 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

He thoroughly enjoyed spending time on the Missouri River in Pierre with his family and friends. Waterskiing was a true passion he shared and passed down to his children. He loved his grandchildren more than anything and was always consumed with their well-being, education, and happiness. He worked up until the end doing what he loved and did best, helping people. He touched so many lives and will never be forgotten.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Mary Dean Janklow, Sioux Falls; children Russ Janklow, Pam (Randy) Derheim, and Shonna Haugen, all of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, Lindsey, William, and Creighton Janklow, and Daniel and Emma Haugen; his mother Lou Ella Nace, Flandreau, SD; six brothers and sisters; Willa Faris, Jonesborough, TN, Art (Mary Ellen) Janklow, Rapid City, SD, JoAnn (Ronald) Lind, Flandreau, SD, Fredric Janklow, Flandreau, SD, Lou Janklow, Flandreau, SD, and Lloyd Nace Jr., Flandreau, SD, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Arthur Janklow and nephew Robert Pollard.



Visitation will begin at 7:00am in Pierre, SD on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 in the Rotunda at the State Capitol, followed by a prayer service at 1:00 pm. Visitation will resume at 6:00pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church (909 W. 33rd St.) in Sioux Falls, followed by a prayer service at 6:30pm. His funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, also at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. A private family burial will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to: Make a Wish Foundation, Dougherty Hospice House, or the William J. Janklow Scholarship at USD.