William David Goran, 68, died on March 5 after a two-year battle with lymphoma at the Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign-Urbana, IL. William (Bill) was a national leader in environmental sustainability. He was named the federal government's "Climate Champion of 2014." He received the Green Government Presidential Award for his pioneering efforts on climate change. During his career at the US Army Corps of Engineers, he co-founded with NASA the Interagency Forum on Climate Change. His leadership contributions led to the sharing of best practices and the incorporation of climate change into the strategic planning of numerous federal agencies. Additionally he led a team that designed, developed and fielded the GRASS GIS open source software that is now used worldwide. Bill's passion for conservation started at an early age. He founded a natural foods store called Earthworks and he co-authored a trail guide to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Bill was born July 10, 1946 in Denver, CO. and he was raised in Moline, IL. Bill graduated from the University of Illinois with a BA degree in English and went on to receive an MS degree in Geography and an MEE in Soil Science. He married Jennifer Stroud in 1979 and raised a family in Champaign where he has been an active member of the community. Bill's contributions to sustainability and climate change were great but above all he was an outstanding husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is long-time member of the Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church where he served as Chair of the Stewards Committee. Bill was also a volunteer with CASA, empty tomb, inc., Salt and Light, and the Mercy and Justice Committee. Bill was an avid runner, gardener, reader and loved to play pick-up basketball with his friends.

"Willy", as he is affectionately known to his family and friends is survived by his wife Jenny, his three sons, Jacob, David (Shannon) and Danny (Noel) and five grandchildren, Jesse, Jeremiah, Jonathan, Archer and Hadassah Grace. Two more grandchildren will be joining the family in the next several months. His siblings, Michael, Nancy Groshart and Kelly Moodie, also survive him. His father Joseph died in 1996 and his mother Margaret died five months ago in 2014.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 5-8 PM, Sunday, March 8 at the Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church (1913 S. Mattis Ave, Champaign) followed by a memorial service on Monday, March 9 at 11 AM at the church.

Memorial gifts may be made to Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church, CASA and Prairie Rivers Network.