Bill Yankee first became involved in issues dealing with water quality and quantity by being an irrigator and owning a ranch along a river. This led to being elected to a seat on his local Conservation District Board and active involvement in Natural Resource Conservation Service programs. Further experience establishing Watershed Improvement Districts and on a state Water Development Commission broadened his background in a range of water-related concerns and projects.
Now retired from dual careers in ranching and education, Bill and his wife live in northwest Montana overlooking beautiful Flathead Lake. He is on the Board of Supervisors of the Flathead Conservation District and enjoys fishing on a variety of types of waters.