Bill Behling left an indelible mark on his hometown, having spent decades in high-profile positions contributing to the Beloit community.
“He lived his life in full view of others, exposed to both their approbation and their criticism,” wrote Beloit Daily News editor Bill Barth, shortly after Behling’s death. “Make no mistake, that’s not always an easy place to dwell.”
Behling had retired as editor and publisher of the Daily News when he died on Jan. 29, 2013, at age 84. His connection to the Daily News began in 1945, while he was still in high school, with employment in the Greater Beloit Publishing Co.’s commercial printing operation.
After transferring in 1946 from the printing department to the editorial staff of the Daily News, he worked as a reporter, photographer, telegraph editor, state and farm editor, special publications editor and executive editor. In 1973, Behling became publisher and editor of the Rhinelander Daily News. He returned to Beloit as Daily News publisher and editor in 1979.
Behling was a past president of the Wisconsin Associated Press, a member of the Journalism Advisory Board for UW-Eau Claire and was inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame by the WNA Foundation in 2008.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many additional family members and friends.
