Van Regenmorter, William | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

William Van Regenmorter (1939, Jamestown, MI-2012, Jenison, MI)  was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, and 2002; and to the Michigan State  Senate, 1990, 1994, and 1998; served as Assistant Senate Majority Floor Leader, 1995-1998; and Senate Majority Whip, 1999-2002. He served as a Republican and lives in Georgetown Township, Ottawa County.

He authored a number of bills that became law, particularly those to protect abused children, assist persons with disabilities, reduce crime, reduce taxes, reduce domestic violence, require truth in sentencing. He was the author of the Crime Victim's Rights Act that became a model for similar legislation outside of Michigan, and later became an amendment to the State Constiution.  He is the recipient of numerous awards, named Michigan "Legislator of the Year" eleven times, and recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University.

Prior to his political career in Lansing, Van Regenmorter worked as an analyst for Dun and Bradstreet, and Ottawa County Commissioner. He is married to Cheryl DeVries; they have four children.