William "Bill" Hathaway dies

William "Bill" Hathaway, 85, formerly of 163 Sutherlin Avenue, Danville, died Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Sitter Barfoot Veteran Care Center in Richmond, Virginia.

Born July 7, 1923, in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the son of the late Samuel Devereaux Hathaway and Katheryne Taylor Hathaway. He was married to Mildred New Hathaway who predeceased him.

He lived most of his life in the Danville area and was a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy and Averett University. He served 8 years with the US Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War. He retired as Resident Naturalist Emeritus for the Pittsylvania County School System and was of the Episcopalian faith.

Bill Hathaway was an avid naturalist and devoted most of his life to the study of nature and science. He was always eager to share his knowledge with others through his writings in Nature's Niche, the various local museums he contributed to, and field trips that many students still remember. Bill began teaching a few years after he left the Marines in 1956. He taught at Dan River, Whitmell, Tunstall, and the Governor's school summer program. His practical approach to teaching with hands-on techniques generated enthusiasm in his students. It is much more interesting to apply trigonometry measuring the height of a tree than solving equations in the classroom. Bill touched many lives with his love of nature and he will always be remembered as the teacher from the University of Outdoors.

He is survived by his daughter, Katheryne H. Terry of Richmond; two brothers, Samuel D. Hathaway of Virginia Beach and Gardner Rugg Hathaway of Falls Church, Virginia. He is also survived by three grand-children, Jonathan T. Decker, Matthew and Benjamin Terry and two great-grandchildren, Ruby and Bella Decker. In addition to his wife and parents he was predeceased by a daughter, Peni Ray.

The family request memorial contributions may be made to the Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, Virginia 24541 or the Danville Science Center, 677 Craghead Street, Danville, Virginia 24541.

Those who wish may visit Bill's web site at http://www.pittpaths.com.

Published in the Danville Register & Bee, March 19, 2009

HMA teacher resigns after bringing weapon to school

An instructor at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham has resigned after bringing a weapon to the school.

The instructor brought the weapon, a World War II relic, to class April 2 as a prop for a lesson about the conflict, William Wiebking, director of communications at Hargrave, said Friday. The school declined to identify the instructor.

The weapon was not loaded and was brought to the campus with no malicious intent, Wiebking said. A student informed Hargrave officials after the class ended, he said.

"He was in violation of policy," Wiebking said. "He offered his resignation, and it was accepted."

Students and staff are forbidden from bringing weapons to the school. The academy has weapons for its rifle team and a shooting range, but the firearms are secured, and special staff must be present for them to be used, Wiebking said.

"School safety is extremely important to us," Wheeler Baker, a retired U.S. Marine colonel and president of Hargrave, said in a prepared statement. "A weapon has no place in the classroom."

The instructor's actions were not illegal and no arrest was made.

By John Crane
jcrane@registerbee.com
Danville Register & Bee
April 10, 2009

"Hambone"

Bill Hathaway's photo album can be viewed at http://www.pittpaths.com/author/photo. Bill attended Hargrave. The photograph is from the school yearbook of Bill's senior year (1941-1942). The photo is captioned:

William Taylor Hathaway, Danville, Virginia — “Hambone”
Private, Second Platoon, Co. B; Private, First Class, Second Platoon, Co. B; Corporal, Second Platoon, Co. B; Sergeant, Second Platoon, Co. B; First Lieutenant, Commanding Co. D; Track Team; Football Squad; Intramural Basketball; Military Proficiency Award; Y. M. C. A. Social Service Committee; Varsity Club; Sabre Club; Honor Roll.

Homecoming 2009

This year's Homecoming weekend at Hargrave will be on April 24-26. The school will welcome back returning alumni, former students, former teachers and current faculty and staff. The reunion classes served will be for the years 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2008.

Weekend activities will include a round of golf, alumni class photos, a Cadet parade and an awards ceremony. There will be a breakfast and lunch on Saturday. See the schedule at www.hargrave.edu/alumni/reunions.html

For more information, please contact Brad Broskie, who is the Director of Alumni Relations. Brad's e-mail address is broskieb@hargrave.edu. His phone number is (434) 432-3187.

The Sounds of Hargrave

By Leon Rue, '49

The slap of several hundred rifles hitting the left hands of several hundred cadets when "Port Arms" was called.

The splash of a "cannonball" into the pool.

The rat a tat tat of my drum playing "My Old Man" along with the bugles as the batallion marched into the mess hall.

The lornful sound of Taps.

The rifle reports on the firing range.

The lush sound of Russ Carlton and his 17 piece orchestra.

The thud of my vaulting pole hitting the "box".

The "ain no mo" of the dining room servers when asked for seconds.

The swish of the officer's sabres coming out of the scabbards.

The clink of medals on my dress uniform.

The bellow of the Battalion Commander as he called for "ATENNNN-HUT".

The peal of Chatham church bells calling us to worship.

These sounds of Hargrave still echo in my mind.