Emporian Comes Home for Final Rest
By Menzo Hainline

     H. W. "Bill" Hargiss, who died recently after an illustrious career starting at Emporia State University, was buried in Emporia, the town he loved, near the college from which he started his career. He was a part of east Kansas history. He was always connected with athletics, having coached at Marion High School, Emporia State and the University of Kansas.
     I first met Bill in his office at Emporia State many, many years ago, when I as a lad of 17 years arrived there to begin my college career. I will never forget that first meeting, nor will I ever forget the long years of friendship that have existed between the two of us.
     This friendship, first between teacher and pupil, or as coach and player, which developed into more of a father-son relationship upon the completion of my college career and then as we both grew older into a mutual camaraderie, has been one of the high spots of my life.
     It was Bill who inspired me to succeed as an athlete. It was Bill who inspired me to succeed in my life's work and endeavors. It was Bill who furnished hours of conversation and entertainment in later life. We met on many occasions over the years — he in our home and I in his. Still on the schedule for our meetings will be an unfulfilled date for Nov. 4 this year.
     Bill came on the scene of Kansas athletics in the early days of this century. He was an excellent athlete in his own right, but on top of that he had the ability to promote athletic ability in others.
     In those early days, when Bill came to the State Normal and played fullback for the college, athletics in our high schools and colleges was in one sense looked upon as a game for rowdies and was not and never would be considered a part of the school curriculum. Athletes were just to be tolerated until their efforts could be forgotten.
     Bill's was one of the early voices raised in the development of the athlete in body and spirit. He contended that the athlete should develop mentally as well as physically, that there was the letter A to be added to the three R's of learning.
     So his life in its entirety, and it was a long and rich life, was spent in the world of athletics. However, the development of the body was not the only thing he taught. He taught his students that it was necessary to excel in every endeavor they undertook, to be honest and forthright and to respect one's God.
     Few people have influenced for good the lives of as many people as has Bill Hargiss. His work was always with young people, and the men and women who fell under his spell have lived and enjoyed a better life because of him.
     While Bill received many honors and awards during his long and busy athletic career the most rewarding to him was the help he could provide for the young men who sat at his feet.
     It seemed silly for the friends gathered at his graveside to grieve at the passing of this remarkable man. We did it out of personal selfishness at the loss of our dear friend...