William "Bill" Mackey Platz

William "Bill" Mackey Platz, 60, resident of Mitchell died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015 at his home under hospice care. Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday evening with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. A Memorial Fund has been established to Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, Mitchell Fusion, the First United Methodist Church mission trips and Avera Queen of Peace Hospital Hospice.

Bill Platz was born March 13, 1954, in San Diego, Calif., to John and Adelaide (Mackey) Platz. He grew up and attended school at Sidney and graduated from Sidney high School in 1972. He graduated from Western State College, Gunnison, Colo., with a degree in botany and a degree in agronomy from Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

He founded Crop Tech, Inc., a farm consulting business in 1987. On July 5, 1991, he married Paula Hoffman in Mitchell. Bill loved God's green earth and his work as an agronomist was a testament to that love. He said he was blessed to love everything about his career; the agronomy and the people with whom he worked, employees, clients and colleagues. He retired Jan. 1, 2015.

Bill worked hard and played harder. When not working his usual 15 hour day, he was bicycling or skiing. He served on several boards of bicycle related organizations including the Mickleson Trail Trek Committee, Palace City Pedaler's Board and was instrumental in starting the Lake Mitchell Hiking Biking Trail. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and was a founder of the SD Independent Crop Consulting Association.

He is survived by his wife, Paula; his father Dr. John Platz, Sidney; siblings: Johna Walker, Lincoln, Richard Platz, Fort Collins, Mary (Kent) Matsustani, Fort Collins, Amy (Brad) Stepp, Stoughton, Wis.; sisters-in-law, Lisa Platz, Baytown, TX, Mary Jo (Paul Johnson) Hoffman, Sioux City, IA, and Lona Hoffman, Brookings, S.D.; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Diann) Hoffman, Crooks,S.D., Tom (Kim) Hoffman, Brookings, S.D.; and daughter, Jessica (Luc) Vallone, Ithaca, N.Y. Bill loved and was cherished by many nieces, nephews and numerous friends far and wide.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother Adelaide Platz and brother Paul Platz.