After more than four decades with WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Local Broadcast Legend Bill Jartz is retiring on May 23.
“His unparalleled work ethic, affable personality, booming laugh, and tireless commitment to public service has made Bill a true icon in northeast Wisconsin,” said WBAY-TV General Manager Steve Lavin. “There is just no one like Bill. Our viewers will miss him, his co-workers will miss him, and I will miss him.”
Raised in Clintonville, Jartz earned all-state recognition as a high school football player and received an athletic scholarship to attend Northwestern University. After graduating in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, he began his broadcasting career as the 10 p.m. sports anchor in Wausau. In March 1983, he joined WBAY as a sports reporter.
In June 1990, he briefly stepped away from broadcasting to work in the private sector. He returned to WBAY as Sports Director on Jan. 11, 1993, paving the way for what he says was the most memorable day of his career.
“There have been many unforgettable people and stories, but anchoring our Super Bowl XXXI coverage from New Orleans probably tops the list. There was such a build-up over the years, and to finally get there and win was fantastic! Green Bay was once again the place to be in pro football, and we got to share the excitement with the folks back home,” Jartz said.
In October 1998, when an evening anchor position opened up, Jartz decided to move from sports to news. He was paired with 10 p.m. news anchor Cami Rapson.
“The best person, the best work partner, a forever friend,” Rapson said. “It is not lost on me how lucky I have been to spend the last 26 years co-anchoring the newscasts with Bill, and over 30 years of working in the newsroom together. It’s been a dream partnership; a person who cares about the team, the product, and the viewers. He is one of a kind, and I feel so blessed to have been part of his career.”
“The excitement of being on the inside of a story is pretty rewarding, but what I’m going to miss the most are the people I’ve worked with over the years,” Jartz said. “I grew up watching Chuck Ramsay, and later I shared an office with the state broadcasting Hall of Famer. I’ve seen many people leave here for bigger markets – even network jobs. I can say I was there in their early days and got to watch them grow into incredible journalists. And Cami has been an angel for supporting me and getting me through some tough times in my life. I could not have asked for a better TV wife.”
“While Bill is an ideal employee and excels at what he does on-air, his true legacy is his commitment to the community, Lavin said. “I can’t think of another media personality who has made a bigger impact. Whether volunteering as an emcee, auctioneer, guest speaker, or celebrity judge, Bill supports countless fundraisers and events. He simply does not say no to any cause where he thinks his time and energy can make a difference.”
Jartz has been honored for his charitable efforts, receiving the Heart of Gold Lifetime Achievement Award at the 34th Annual WPS Volunteer Awards, and later, the 2022 Governor’s Service Award, Volunteer of the Year/East Central Wisconsin.
“I am quite proud of the contributions I’ve made to many local charitable organizations. The CP Telethon and Make-A-Wish’s Gourmet Wishes come to mind. I used to watch the CP Telethon as a kid, so to become an active part of the show is unreal. The final hour of the telethon is unlike anything I’ve ever done – pushing hard and motivating people to call in with a pledge. I’m a very lucky man to be asked to help the great causes in our area.”
Jartz was named a WBA Local Broadcast Legend in 2024.
“I’d like to continue volunteering, if these organizations I’ve worked with over the years still want my help,” Jartz said. “I plan to do more hunting and fishing. It will be nice to share evening meals during the week with my wife, Mary. I also need to spend more time driving my John Deere tractors. I can’t fix them, but I sure enjoy driving them. Maybe it’s time to learn how to fix them?”
The long-time voice of Lambeau Field, Jartz said he plans to continue announcing home games for the foreseeable future, while serving in a new role on the Packers Board of Directors. Jartz has also been a member of the Packers Hall of Fame Board since 2023.
Jartz said he would like to thank the viewers for trusting him as a source for news over the years.
“When I took over for Chuck Ramsay, he was the Walter Cronkite of northeast Wisconsin. Those were big shoes to fill. I didn’t want to blow it, and I don’t think I did. I always tried to inject a little humor where possible, because we all need to smile and laugh more. I tried my best, and I hope I served you well,” Jartz said.
Jartz’ last day on-air will be May 23.
