Throughout his years as both a representative and senator in the Michigan state legislature Van Regenmorter has won a considerable number of awards. In an online publication of the Michigan Manual of 2003-04 it is stated that William was the recipient of Michigan "Legislator of the Year" eleven times and the "National Legislator of the Year" by the National Victim Center. Van Regenmorter's obituary stated that his death was on June 18, 2012 after having struggled with Parkinson's Disease for nine years. The Office of Victims of Crime's tribute to Van Regenmorter described how on June 20, 2012, Governor Rick Snyder ordered that flags were to be lowered at half-staff in honor of Senator Van Regenmorter.