Ohio Pork Council Recognizes Greenville Man as Leader in Pork Industry

Bill Funderburg (center) receives the OPC Service A​ward from Dick Isler, executive vice president, Ohio Pork Council (right) and Duane Stateler, President, Ohio Pork Council (left).

Recently, at the 2014 Ohio Pork Congress, hundreds of individuals involved in the pork industry met to recognize and honor leaders and outstanding contributors during the Ohio Pork Council’s Annual Awards Luncheon.

The Ohio Pork Council is excited to present the Ohio Pork Industry Service Award to an individual who exemplifies outstanding contribution to the swine industry. This individual is consistently willing to support the pork industry in numerous ways.

OPC would like to congratulate and thank this year’s Ohio Pork Industry Service Award winner, Bill Funderburg, for his support and continued efforts to promote and enhance Ohio’s pork industry.

Bill raised pigs on his western Ohio farm for over 50 years and had many successes, including several years of exporting Yorkshire breeding stock to China. He also received the National Swine Service Award, the National Swine Producer of the Year Award and the National Master Seedstock Producer Award.


Bill has devoted countless amounts of time and effort into swine programs in his local area, Darke County. He helped start the first swine sale and judging contest at the Darke County Fair, assisted in establishing the Darke County Pork Producers, and organizes swine selection, showmanship and feeding clinics for 4-H clubs.

Bill serves on Ohio’s PRRS Task Force and the Ohio Swine Health Advisory Committee. Additionally, he was very involved in pseudorabies eradication and attended many meetings in Ohio and across the U.S. He is also involved in the Ohio Swine Health Symposium. Bill has been inducted into the Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame, served as a board member, officer and president of the Ohio Yorkshire Board for numerous years, and is a long-time judge of county fairs.

Bill’s service to the pork industry extends far beyond his involvement in Ohio activities. He has served on the National Swine Export Board, been president of the National American Yorkshire Board, judged over 50 national swine shows, and served as president of the National Swine Improvement Federation.

In addition to his work in the pork industry, Bill has been an active member of his community. He was a high school teacher, a school board member, a 4-H leader, a member of the local zoning board, and a basketball coach at Wittenberg University.

Bill resides in Greenville, with his wife, Carol, and remains active in agriculture, coaching youth sports, and church activities.