Bill lost his battle with cancer on Saturday after fighting the disease for two years.

He was known and loved for his positive outlook, even in the most trying of circumstances through the ongoing drought.

Bill was the district council chairman of the NSW Farmers' Association ? a role which will be temporarily filled by Barbara Johnston.

Bill and his wife Robyn form 'Shannagh', Brucedale raised two children ? son Julian and daughter Sally ? and have three grandchildren William, Emma and Campbell.

Bill's fellow district council member and former vice-president of the association Alan Brown said there was no denying Bill's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by farmers in southern NSW.

"He was one of the single greatest supporters of the Wagga District Council of the NSW Farmers' Association," Mr Brown said.

"Bill ran a tight ship on the farm and at the district council, and he was at the forefront of championing local concerns."

Bill was passionate about drought support, keeping young farmers on the land and ensuring an orderly marketing system for cropping farmers.

"But above all else, he was a keen supporter of farmers," Mr Brown said.

As chairman of the local district council, Bill opened the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Wagga's Charles Sturt University.

He was passionate about farming issues such as drought support, grain marketing, weather conditions and the local agricultural community.

The agricultural community, friends and relatives will join at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Anglican Church, Wagga tomorrow (Friday, October 16) at 10am to farewell one of the most passionate farmers the region has seen.