Bill Hathaway

William "Bill" Hathaway, 67, of Idaho Falls, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2017, at his home. William B. Hathaway was a man of immense curiosity. A formidable and dedicated journalist, esoteric history buff, voracious reader, author of local histories, a scholar, a mentor, and a fiercely loyal family man and friend, Bill Hathaway will be deeply missed. A fifth generation Idahoan and a proud descendent of pioneers who moved west in 1862, Bill was born in St. Anthony, Idaho, on October 4, 1949, to Gladys Ozelle Hathaway and Darrell Paul “Buck” Hathaway in a hospital which is now a Maverick Store, a fact that has been endlessly amusing to his children. He was raised in St. Anthony and spent considerable time in South Carolina, where he gained an affinity for his grandpa’s Panama hats and his grandma’s Southern cooking. He graduated from South Fremont High School in 1967, where he wrestled and played football. He then attended, and raised hell at Rick’s College where he graduated with an Associates Degree before going on to Idaho State University. As the editor of The Bengal, he met lifelong friends Paul and Lois Emerson and future in-laws and great pals Ryan and Linda Rumsey. He also met his future wife, Faye Barry, at The Bengal. Together, he and Faye travelled many miles on his motorcycle, she asleep on the back seat in her “blue hair,” he adventuring and taking in his scenic, beloved Idaho. As an investigative reporter, Bill uncovered unlawful polygraph practices in the state of Idaho, covering these practices, the investigation, and the eventual passing of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act for the Statesman. In turn, Faye was instrumental in tipping him off, testifying, and ensuring the protection of human rights for future Idahoans. They were always an unstoppable team. Bill took tremendous pride in his work and dedicated his life to being a meticulous and moral journalist. He was a true newspaperman. He began his career at the Blackfoot News while still at Idaho State University. He later worked as a political reporter for the Idaho Statesman, an editor at the Rigby Star, and held numerous positions at the Lewiston Morning Tribune before moving his young family to Idaho Falls to spend the majority of his career at the Post Register. His family teased that he had done every job in the newsroom, but he, in fact, did most of them at one time or another – everything from sports writer and political reporter to page designer and managing editor. Never one to want any sort of recognition and always humble about his work, he quietly oversaw the transition to the computer era and redesigned the Post Register. After retiring from the Post Register, Bill travelled, spent time with his grandchildren, and went back to school at Idaho State University, where he was making the final edits on his Masters Thesis on the history of water rights in Idaho. He had a deep love for research and uncovering lost histories. His kids were the luckiest. Raised to share his love of Shakespeare sonnets, to read Hemingway, and to belt a bluesy tune on a long car trip, he instilled in them the desire to be thinkers and skeptics – mostly skeptical of his incredible stories and tall tales. Although he was able spin a yarn to rival any great storyteller of his day, he was dedicated to fact-finding and truth telling. He abided by the great Mark Twain quote, “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” Concerned about the current political climate, Bill would have found humor in his departure from this earth around the same time as facts. The greatest loves of his life were his Faye Annie, to whom he was married for 43 years, and his incredible grandchildren Shay, Hadley, and Asher Harris, who considered Papa to be their best buddy. He was wholly devoted to their happiness. He was dedicated to his children and made all things possible for them, supporting them as they pursued degrees, projects, and careers all over the world. His loss is felt deeply by his son, Sean Hathaway of Los Angeles, daughters, Jennifer Spalding of New York City, Brett Harris of Eugene, Oregon, and Kelly Hathaway of Greeley, Colorado, and his two sons-in-law, Wes Harris and John Spalding, who were his good pals. He will be greatly missed by his sister and brother-in-law, and dearest friends, Linda and Ryan Rumsey. He is also survived by his best friend, Paul Emerson, who is the only other member of their two-person sarcasm club. He was the beloved uncle to Paul Hathaway (Wendy) and kids, his nearest and dearest family who were always there for him. He also is survived by his brother, Dick Hathaway, and mother, Ozelle, both of Idaho Falls, who he lovingly teased and cared for until his last day. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave, followed by a raucous wake in celebration of his formidable life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Bill Hathaway Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded annually to a student in Idaho dedicated to research, writing, journalism, and lifelong learning. Donations may be made online at www.billhathawayscholarship.com.

Memorial Services will be held

2:00 PM ,Friday, February 3, 2017 Wood Funeral Home 273 North Ridge Avenue Idaho Falls, ID, Bonneville 83402