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William Bill Michael Harty
02/23/1920 — 08/15/2002
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Great Falls, Montana
William Bill Michael Harty
William M. Bill Harty Sr, 82, longtime Richland resident, was called to his heavenly home by his loving Savior and reunited with his wife for a walk on the streets of gold, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002. ''Big Bear'' spent his life giving, advising, and helping others and was known for his kind and generous ways. '' And be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.'' Ephesians 4:32. We will miss your kind, tender heart and wise council.
Bill was born on Feb. 23, 1920 to Irish immigrants, Harold and Jane Harty in Great Falls, Montana. He was the fourth of seven children and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 17. He attended Montana State University where he graduated in 1941 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He especially liked math, economics, and staying up late playing poker. He was first employed by the E.I. DuPont Co. in Morgantown, West Virginia where he met the love of his life, Virginia Godfrey. He moved to Richland and started to work for the General Electric Co.at Hanford in 1946. Bill and Virginia were married on Dec. 29, 1946 at Central United Protestant Church.
For the next 37 years Bill worked at numerous Hanford facilities, in key operations, engineering, and management positions. Bill was an instrumental member of the operations and engineering teams that transferred the plutonium technology from Los Alamos to Hanford. This led to the design and building of the Plutonium Finishing Plant. Bill was then transferred to N-reactor where he helped convert N- reactor into the first dual purpose production reactor in the world. Following the success at N reactor, he became plant manager for the PUREX facility and was then promoted to site manager for all the Hanford operations and manufacturing. He was nationally recognized as an expert in nuclear fuel reprocessing and safety & environmental engineering.
Bill was active in Kiwanis club, PTA and was a principal fundraiser for the building of Kadlec Hospital, Bill was an avid athletic supporter of many youth sports and could frequently be found at school football, basketball, and baseball events. In his retired years he assisted Virginia with volunteer work through the C.U.P. outreach to the Asian community.
His family was always very important to him, both his own parents, brothers and sisters, as well as his own six children and his wife. He will be fondly remembered for ordering and wrapping Christmas presents all year long, in anticipation of spending holidays with his extensive family.
He is preceded in death by his wonderful wife of 54 years, Virginia, his mother and father, Jane and Harold Harty Sr., sisters Alys and Nora and brother Ben Harty. Bill is survived by sister Joan Kinney and family, Sheila Feichtner and husband Jack, brother Harold Harty and wife Helen and family, sister-in-law Shirley Harty and family. His six children and spouses: Jane Harty Ron Marshall, Mike Kathi Harty, Pat Kim Harty, Wendy Harty Michael Woody, David Harty, Mary Harty Randy Price. Twelve Grandchildren: Kelly Josh Golden, Ginny and Chris Harty, Susannah, Ruth, and Anders Marshall, Alex and Miranda Price, Janelle, Ashlee, and Brianna Harty and Vicky Woody, as well as two Great-Grandchildren.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, Aug. 30 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Einans Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held for the family on Saturday, August 31st at 10:00 am with a public memorial service following at 11am at Central United Protestant Church in Richland with a reception following.
Mike, very sorry to hear about the death of your father. I read the obit and he sounded like a really kind, generous Christian. Linda and I will pray for your family this week – to help recall pleasant times to laugh about and difficult times that all of you learned from. We’ll also pray for peace and comfort for both you and Kathi and the rest of your family. We appreciate what you guys do at church and how you live your lives. Again, may God grant you peace this week.
In Christ, Chuck and Linda Willingham
Mike,
Sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. You never think it’s going to happen to you until it does. We lost our Mom in February. We are now becoming the older generation. My condolences to you and your family.
Bruce Strand
Pat and family,
I was saddened to hear of the passing of your dad. A family’s character and style is a reflection of the parents. The Hartys always displayed these traits in a positive manner, a testament to a couple of quality parents. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Mike Davis
To all the Harty kids from the Gray family down the street, our deepest sympathy and with loving and fond memories of our childhood!
All our sympathy. We will miss the Hartys as we walk along Hains avenue.
What a wonderful man…I wonder if he would have known my father, Jim Clatworthy, who came to Richland in 1943. I wonder if he knew my uncle Ed Weyerts, and my father in-law Alfred Weyerts. My dad also umpired baseball games for Col-Hi and little league.
Pat, My deepest sympathies. I think about different guys dad’s everyonce in a while and your dad was one of them. He’ll be missed.
I will always remember, as a young engineer working with Bill in the 200 areas. He was the person we went to for history and technical information. He was like a living library. I would ask him about an event — he would say that it happened around such and such a date like ‘June 1962’ and then walk over to these neat stacks of paper, organized by year and pull out a report on it. I was always amazed. He set such a good example for us to strive for. Cherri DeFigh-Price
Dear Dave,
We were sorry to learn of the passing of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Regards, Jan, Skip, Cody and Morgan
Jane,
What wonderful memories of your parents that picture brings back! I hope your memories are a comfort to you now, and I know they will continue to bring smiles and comfort to you all through your life. Please know that you and your family are in the thoughts and prayers of countless friends.
Dianne Didy
To my dear friend Wendy,
A toast to all the great times on Hains Ave. Fudge making, card playing and lots of fun in the sunBetty ,
Betty!! Such great memories. My love to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care and with much love,
“Lut ”
Katherine
…’not forgotten’
Pat & Family, We are very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Dear Harty Families:
Just a note to let you know that Bill & Virginia Harty have not been forgotten. What great people they were and growing up next to your family provides many fond memories. May you continue to be blest in all that you do. Gary
Jane,
I vividly remember your wonderful parents, and so I hope you find comfort knowing they are together now. Take care, and peace to all of your family.
Barb Gore McCleary
Pat & family . I was so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. He always seemed to me to be a devoted father. I know you will miss him so much. My prayers go out to all of you
BJ & family
Pat and the Harty family
Our deepest condolences on your loss.
HARTY FAMILY,
OUR FAMILY SENDS OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES AT YOUR LOSS HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND IF THE REFLECTION OF A FINE FAMILY
IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FATHER
HE WAS A GREAT FATHER TOO. WE KNOW HOW IT IS TO LOSE BOTH PARENTS. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.
SINCERELY
SEGUIN FAMILY
I am very sorry to hear about your recent loss.May god be with yoy and comfort you.
Mary,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I have warm memories of your home and both your parents. They continue to live through you and all the grandkids. Keep the loving memories alive.
Sue
Both Becky & I are very sorry for the loss of your father. We pray for you and we hope that you too will be able to find peace. Your family has been thru a tremendous amount of stress. Take time for yourselves to reflect on the happy times. May god be with you.
Barry & Becky Long
Richland
Pat, Sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. We think you are a special person, and know you’re a reflection of a special Dad. Our thoughts are with you at your time of loss. Ron and Barbara
Mike, very sorry to hear about the death of your father. I read the obit and he sounded like a really kind, generous Christian. Linda and I will pray for your family this week – to help recall pleasant times to laugh about and difficult times that all of you learned from. We’ll also pray for peace and comfort for both you and Kathi and the rest of your family. We appreciate what you guys do at church and how you live your lives. Again, may God grant you peace this week.
In Christ, Chuck and Linda Willingham
Mike,
Sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. You never think it’s going to happen to you until it does. We lost our Mom in February. We are now becoming the older generation. My condolences to you and your family.
Bruce Strand
Pat and family,
I was saddened to hear of the passing of your dad. A family’s character and style is a reflection of the parents. The Hartys always displayed these traits in a positive manner, a testament to a couple of quality parents. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Mike Davis
To all the Harty kids from the Gray family down the street, our deepest sympathy and with loving and fond memories of our childhood!
All our sympathy. We will miss the Hartys as we walk along Hains avenue.
What a wonderful man…I wonder if he would have known my father, Jim Clatworthy, who came to Richland in 1943. I wonder if he knew my uncle Ed Weyerts, and my father in-law Alfred Weyerts. My dad also umpired baseball games for Col-Hi and little league.
Pat, My deepest sympathies. I think about different guys dad’s everyonce in a while and your dad was one of them. He’ll be missed.
I will always remember, as a young engineer working with Bill in the 200 areas. He was the person we went to for history and technical information. He was like a living library. I would ask him about an event — he would say that it happened around such and such a date like ‘June 1962’ and then walk over to these neat stacks of paper, organized by year and pull out a report on it. I was always amazed. He set such a good example for us to strive for. Cherri DeFigh-Price
Dear Dave,
We were sorry to learn of the passing of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Regards, Jan, Skip, Cody and Morgan
Jane,
What wonderful memories of your parents that picture brings back! I hope your memories are a comfort to you now, and I know they will continue to bring smiles and comfort to you all through your life. Please know that you and your family are in the thoughts and prayers of countless friends.
Dianne Didy
To my dear friend Wendy,
A toast to all the great times on Hains Ave. Fudge making, card playing and lots of fun in the sunBetty ,
Betty!! Such great memories. My love to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care and with much love,
“Lut ”
Katherine
…’not forgotten’
Pat & Family, We are very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Dear Harty Families:
Just a note to let you know that Bill & Virginia Harty have not been forgotten. What great people they were and growing up next to your family provides many fond memories. May you continue to be blest in all that you do. Gary
Jane,
I vividly remember your wonderful parents, and so I hope you find comfort knowing they are together now. Take care, and peace to all of your family.
Barb Gore McCleary
Pat & family . I was so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. He always seemed to me to be a devoted father. I know you will miss him so much. My prayers go out to all of you
BJ & family
Pat and the Harty family
Our deepest condolences on your loss.
HARTY FAMILY,
OUR FAMILY SENDS OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES AT YOUR LOSS HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND IF THE REFLECTION OF A FINE FAMILY
IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FATHER
HE WAS A GREAT FATHER TOO. WE KNOW HOW IT IS TO LOSE BOTH PARENTS. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.
SINCERELY
SEGUIN FAMILY
I am very sorry to hear about your recent loss.May god be with yoy and comfort you.
Mary,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I have warm memories of your home and both your parents. They continue to live through you and all the grandkids. Keep the loving memories alive.
Sue
Both Becky & I are very sorry for the loss of your father. We pray for you and we hope that you too will be able to find peace. Your family has been thru a tremendous amount of stress. Take time for yourselves to reflect on the happy times. May god be with you.
Barry & Becky Long
Richland
Pat, Sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. We think you are a special person, and know you’re a reflection of a special Dad. Our thoughts are with you at your time of loss. Ron and Barbara
Dear Harty ‘Kids’…of all sizes & ages…The picture you included with this memorial is how I remember Bill & Virginia Harty.
I remember your Mom & mine standing at the white picket fence talking. Your Dad & Ranger, on a hot day, going to the backyard to sit on the ‘swing’ to check for ‘holes in their eyelids’….a 1957 Ford station wagon with the hood up, being serviced or at least check out so that Mom & Dad, Jane, Mike, Pat, Wendy, ‘Digs’ and ‘Tina’ could go visit cousins in town.
William & Virgina Harty’s legacy to Richland & ‘us’ is not the past but the present & future with children & grandchildren, whom I trust, will remember with tender hearts the love that their parents/grandparents shared with each other and them for so many years.
Your devotion, to your parents, these past several difficult years, exemplifies the love of the Harty children.
You so loved…as they did…that you gave.
In His Love may you be honored.
Gary Behymer
It is an honor and a privilege to give a memorial to the Benton/Franklin Retired Teachers Scholarship fund in memory of William Bill Harty. He along with his sister Joan and brother Harold have helped this community and more people in their lifetime than any other family I know. I am sure the Lord will bless each of them and they will rejoice with him some day in his house.
Marion and Gerva Hughes
Mike, Pat and family
My deepest sympathy over the passing of your dad. He was a very nice man and such a supporter of all of your activities. I will remember him fondly.
Take care.
Phil Jones
Mike, David, Pat, Kim…My heartfelt sympathies to you and all of your family. What an incredible guy your dad was. I hope in your times of grief, you find peace in the fact that he touched the lives of many people, and made us all better because of it.
Jim Toomey
Guestbook for
William Bill Michael Harty