SAFFORD, Ariz. (AP) — Former Arizona legislator and Safford businessman Bill Konopnicki has died at age 67.
Son Dave Konopnicki (cope-oh-nick-e) says his father died Wednesday of liver failure.
Bill Konopnicki served eight years in the Arizona House, representing a mostly rural district in eastern Arizona. He lost a 2010 race for state Senate.
As a legislator, Konopnicki supported increased education funding and policies and programs benefiting rural areas of the state. He was more moderate than many conservative Republican lawmakers, trying unsuccessfully to have the Legislature consider changes to tough criminal sentencing laws.
Konopnicki is survived by his wife, Cathy, as well as two sons, two daughters and 10 grandchildren.
Dave Konopnicki says an Oct. 27 service is planned at the Safford Stakes Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
