William 'Bill' Tatum Haines, 51
William "Bill" Tatum Haines, 51, died on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at his home in Libby.
He was born on Sept. 26, 1953, in Kalispell, to Clifford E. and Amy H. Haines. He attended grade school and high school in Kalispell, graduating in 1971. He also attended Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. He then went on for further education in Portland, with advanced appraisal training.
Prior to coming to Libby, Bill worked for the Flathead County weed department. He started working in Kalispell for the Montana Department of Revenue in 1976. Bill began working in Lincoln County in 1979.
He had worked for the Montana Department of Revenue as a property tax appraiser in Lincoln County for the past 23 years. He was known lovingly by many as "Bill the tax man."
He married Janet Hamilton on Feb. 24, 1979, in Kalispell. They lived in Kalispell for two years prior to moving to Libby, their home for the last 23 years.
Bill was a very active member at Faith Bible Church, where he had attended faithfully for 23 years and was currently serving as an elder where he was a lay preacher over spiritual life.
He also served as director of the AWANA Truth and Training Club. Bill had a passion for working with youth and had been involved in the AWANA club for over 30 years. Bill often spoke from the pulpit at Faith Bible Church, where he was loved by many for the way he incorporated his wonderful stories, memories and jokes into his sermons.
Bill enjoyed dreaming of owning a 1957 Chevy. He loved attending home shows as well as drawing and designing house plans. He treasured spending time with family, friends and neighbors.
Survivors include his wife, Janet, of 25 years; son, Tatum Haines; daughter, Anne Simmons and her husband, Ben Simmons; grandchildren, Zachary and Isabelle Haines, Hailey and Baby Simmons, all of Libby, Hunter, Star and Aurora Simmons from Bemidji, Minn.; mother, Amy Haines of Kalispell; brother John Haines and his wife, Kathy, of Great Falls; sister Margaret Engberg of Kalispell; mother-in-law Joyce Hamilton of Kalispell; brother and sister-in-law Mike and Suzie Hamilton of Lewiston, Idaho; sister-in-law Vickie Hamilton of Kalispell; sister and brother-in-law Cindy and Chris Barry of Kalispell; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford E. Haines; his father-in-law, Byron Hamilton; and his brother-in-law, Gary Hamilton.
Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Faith Bible Church with burial to follow at the Libby Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday and 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.
Donations can be made to Faith Bible Church's AWANA club.