Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder returned to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2007, having previously served in the Ohio House for 30 years. He currently is serving his third consecutive term and was elected by his colleagues to serve as House Speaker during the 129th General Assembly.
Speaker Batchelder graduated from Medina High School in 1960. He later received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1964, as well as a Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1967.
Speaker Batchelder has established a long career in practicing and teaching law. He spent 31 years of his professional career at the Williams and Batchelder Law Firm in Medina, Ohio, while serving as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Akron Law School and as an adjunct professor at Cleveland State University Levin College of Urban Affairs. Additionally, Representative Batchelder has served as a judge for the Medina County Common Pleas Court, a judge on the Ninth District Court of Appeals from 1999 to 2005, and as a presiding judge on the same court of appeals from 2000 to 2001.
During his tenure at the Ohio House, Speaker Batchelder has been recognized numerous times with the Watchdog of the Treasury Award. He also received the 4-H Meritorious Service Award and the Friends of 4-H award.
The Ohio State Volunteer Firefighters Association recognized his service to Ohio Firefighters throughout his career. For outstanding contributions to the wise use and management of the nation’s natural resources, Speaker Batchelder received the Conservation Legislators Award from the League of Ohio Sportsmen and the National Wildlife Federation.
Speaker Batchelder is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau, Medina County Township Association and the Grange. He is also a Lifetime Member of Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion and Amvets. Representative Batchelder currently serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Masonic Learning Center for Children, an organization that treats children with dyslexia. He is also an active participant in the Scanlon Inn of Court.
Speaker Batchelder represents the 69th House District, which includes portions of Medina County. He currently resides in Medina with his wife, Alice. They have two children and three grandchildren.
