In memoriam: Bill Wiebold

Bill Wiebold, Fellow (CSSA and ASA) and former president (CSSA), passed away on June 11, 2025. He was born, Oct. 27, 1949 in Benton County, IA. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State University where he met Wendy Lucken. They got married on June 9, 1973 in Le Mars, IA. In 1974 they moved to Athens, GA where he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. In 1978, they moved to Maryland where he began his teaching career and conducted research at the University of Maryland in College Park. From 1983–1990, he worked as a faculty member for The Ohio State University before moving to Columbia, MO. 

He wound up making plant science his life’s work. As a professor of agronomy at the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, his research and outreach helped the state’s farmers get the most out of their land. He partially retired in 2019. He loved to work on landscaping in his yard, calling it his “happy place.” He and Wendy loved to travel and visit wineries, and he had most recently served as the Director of the Grape and Wine Institute. He was an avid fan of the Missouri Tigers and loved attending football and basketball games. He was a proud grandfather and a true family man.

He is survived by his wife, of 52 years, Wendy; sons, John (Amy) Wiebold of Lee’s Summit; and Jeremy (Suzanne) Wiebold of Columbia; grandchildren, Brayden, Cayleigh, Madeline, and Jenna; sisters, Margaret (Avery) Merriman of Wayzata, MN, Joanne Moeller of Atkins, IA, and Kathryn (Harold) Sheesley of New Sharon, IA; many nieces and nephews; and a loving extended family.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Wiebold, a brother-in-law, Larry Moeller, and his parents.