Bill Hortman, part of Muscogee school district leadership for 20 years, dies at 72
J. William “Bill” Hortman, retired deputy superintendent of the Muscogee County School District, has died.
Hortman died Friday after a 10-year battle with cancer, according to his obituary. He was 72.
He worked in MCSD for 20 years. His previous positions in the district included research and evaluation director and assistant superintendent for personnel. After retiring in 2004, he taught at Columbus State University and Troy University.
Before coming to MCSD, Hortman taught math at Holley Junior High School in Sylvester, Georgia.
Hortman lived in Harris County and attended St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus, where he served on the administrative board and participated in Sunday school and Bible study.
His funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 9 at St. Luke.
Retired MCSD superintendent Guy Sims, who led the district from 1997-2002, explained why he promoted Hortman to deputy superintendent.
“I saw someone who was very good at understanding what needed to be done and developing specific plans to accomplish that,” Sims told the Ledger-Enquirer. “He was just an exceptional person in that area. … I was more of a global person. I could see the big picture and envision where we could go and what could happen. Having him there, such a detailed person who could make things fit together so they will work, was just a great complement to me.”
After working for five years together as the district’s top two leaders, Sims is grateful for their professional and personal relationship.
“He was my right-hand man,” Sims said. “… The superintendent has to be careful about what you say when difficult things are going on, when you have difficult people to deal with. You need someone you know and trust, someone you can talk to and know it will stay right there. … Not only was he a colleague, but he was a very close friend that I could depend on.”
Sims also admired the way Hortman dealt with his disease.
“He really modeled and demonstrated how to live with a terminal illness,” Sims said. “… He was not the kind to complain and fuss. His faith and hope always stayed there.”
This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 11:04 AM.
