MANSFIELD — Bill Hartnett’s influence spanned numerous locations and categories, from educator and coach to veteran affairs administration across Ohio.
Bill was the only child of Jerome Timothy and Thelma (McCarter) Hartnett, born on April 3, 1932, in western Pennsylvania. The son of a railroad worker, Bill moved with his parents 13 times during his school years, finally settling in Orrville. This is where he met his future wife, Donna Fry.
Bill was a Korean War veteran who served with the U.S. Navy as an Air Traffic Controller in Monterrey, California. In later years, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland appointed him as the first Director of Veteran Services.
When Bill and Donna married, they first settled in Orrville. After returning from military duty, Bill coached high school sports, painted houses, and attended Kent State University where he earned his Bachelor of Education degree. Later he obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from West Virginia University and finally an Administrative Specialist Certificate from Kent State University.
Hartnett began his career in education as a teacher and coach in Wooster. He moved on to the principal’s post at Union Elementary School in the Crestview school district and Ashland Junior High, then became superintendent at Ashland Joint Vocational School District, the year the career center was built.
Hartnett then took over as supertintendent at the Madison Local School District where he worked from 1975 through 1984.
Hartnett briefly taught as an adjunct professor at Ashland University, before taking an organizational role with the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce. He became the executive director of that institution and oversaw its growth. He then stepped in as Interim President of North Central Technical College.
When State Rep. Frank Sawyer became ill mid-term in the Ohio General Assembly, Hartnett was chosen to replace him. Bill represented the 73rd District and was elected to two terms from 1998 to 2006. Democrat Jay Goyal succeeded him in Columbus.
Afterward, Hartnett became the liaison between the Governor’s office and the Legislature.
“There is no finer gentleman,” said Joe Mudra, then Richland County Democratic Party chairman, to the Mansfield News Journal. “He was a good-hearted man and a tremendous servant to his community.”
“He had a tremendous career.”
Although Hartnett remained active in Democratic politics, he finally retired on Dec. 31, 2010.
He died after a car crash at age 84 on June 17, 2016 in Mansfield.
Upon his death, then Ohio Gov. John Kasich stated:
“In honor of the life and service of former director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and former State Rep. Bill Hartnett, I hereby proclaim, by the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Ohio by the Ohio Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flags of the United States of America and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Richland County and at the Ohio Statehouse from sunrise to sunset on June 24, 2016.”