William James Hartin

Bill Hartin passed away suddenly from heart failure on Christmas Day, December 25, 2011, at age 72.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Arlene Hartin, and son John Hartin, currently of Arizona; cousins Tom Spence (Marge) and Tim McKeown (Sharon) and their families; step Mother-in-Law, Lena McRae; Brother and Sister-in-Law, Don and Donaldine McRae and their family; Sister-in-Law Yvonne Griffitts and her family; and several good friends. He is also survived by his Niece Margaret Ritchie and her husband, John, as well as many Cousins in Co. Antrim, No. Ireland.

He enjoyed many overseas phone calls with Cousins Robert Hartin, Bill and Isa Glenn, and Dan McAllister. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Hartin, Brothers Robert and John Hartin and Sisters Bella Hartin and Margaret Purcell in No. Ireland and many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Bill was born and raised in Moyarget, County Antrim, No. Ireland in 1939.

Before leaving No. Ireland for Eureka, CA at age 17, he had worked as a gardener, a postal delivery boy and in the coal mines. His cousin, John McKeown, sponsored him, and his Uncle, Tom Spence, was a big help in getting him settled. He had a wonderful landlady, Annie Canty, who was almost like a second mother. He worked a short while at Cottage Garden Nursery before working about 40 years for Arcata Redwood/Simpson Company, retiring in 1999.

He worked hard to get his high school diploma after coming to Eureka. He loved to listen to music, read, especially to keep up with the current news, and looked forward to great conversations with his family and friends. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR racing and for several years attended the races at Redwood Acres. He and Arlene did get in some travelling to visit family and enjoy the sights, including three trips back to the British Isles, a trip to Hawaii, cruise to Alaska, and trips to Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, and Victoria BC. They also travelled many times throughout California, especially San Francisco and enjoyed the 1986 Expo in Vancouver.

He really loved his immediate and extended family and his many friends. He was a very honest, hardworking, caring person who also believed in telling it like it is. He enjoyed his life. We will miss him very much.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Pierce Mortuary, 707 H Street, Eureka, CA from 4-7pm. Services will be held the next day on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 1:00 pm, also at Pierce Mortuary. Bill will be laid to rest at Ocean View Cemetery, Eureka, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the the Pacific Legal Foundation, the Humboldt County Historical Society or your favorite charity .

To leave condolences for the family please visit www.piercemortuarychapels.com Care is under the direction of Pierce Mortuary.

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