We'll miss the 'Fourth Commissioner'

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

No doubt, I have written this before. I'm sure I've told it before. But around 20 years ago, I started calling Bill Fawley "the fourth commissioner," because so many newly elected commissioners were constantly seeking his advice on certain issues or policies. 

Needless to say, the "fourth commissioner" – and his institutional knowledge – will be missed by all.

I was very surprised to receive notice on Saturday, Nov. 29 that Bill had passed. Granted, I knew he had had more than his share of health issues. To the best of my recollection, Bill and I last spoke one year ago today on Dec. 2, 2024 at Clinton Memorial Hospital. My wife was having knee replacement surgery, and I was working on my laptop MacBook Pro in the CMH lobby.

In walks Bill with a couple of family members – I believe he was helping his brother that day. Bill immediately asked me what I was doing working in the hospital lobby. I closed the computer, and we just talked. About what? Who knows?

As Highland County Recorder Chad McConnaughey shared today, "Bill was one of those guys that always had a story, and most times, it had nothing to do with what you originally asked him.

"The interesting part is that I always enjoyed the conversation – no matter the topic. I would always instruct my staff to come and get me if I didn't come back within 30 minutes, because Bill had likely gone off into a story about his teaching days or early auditor days. He was a wonderful person who was always ready to lend you some advice and knowledge. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family." 

Adams County Auditor David Gifford shared that Bill "shook hands with Richard Nixon,  had breakfast with Ronald Reagan, and sat in the Oval Office with Gerald Ford. He will be missed."

If ever Highland County had a natural – and very good – master of ceremonies for political functions, it was Bill Fawley. Bill would emcee a GOP Lincoln Day dinner or a summer picnic with ease. He just had a knack for public speaking and being completely confident in his abilities. Probably the schoolteacher in him.

In 2018, I was asked to give a eulogy for John Fuller during a service at St. Mary Catholic Church. Prior to a county commission meeting the week before John's service, I mentioned this to Bill, and admitted that I was a bit nervous about it.

Bill's advice was simple and direct: "Don't worry at all. John will be right there with you."

And of course, that helped put my mind at ease. That was Bill. He could quickly sum up almost any situation and then offer sound advice or words of wisdom.

In September 2022, Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber made a visit to Bill’s office, where Faber honored Bill for several decades of public service.

Bill served as county auditor from 1990-2022. But Bill's public service began well prior to 1990. He was a schoolteacher beginning in 1969. If memory serves, he also worked in the public realm for Congressmen Bill Harsha and Bob McEwen.

I have shared this once before. I first heard Bill Fawley's name in 1979 when I was a senior at Whiteoak High School. I had taken my ACT and SAT tests; and back then, students had options to have their test scores sent to three colleges or universities. My scores went to the University of Cincinnati (where I'd already been accepted), the University of Notre Dame (the Golden Domers did not reply), and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. West Point, as it happened, did reply.

I was contacted by West Point, most likely based on some inaccurate reading of my test scores. I was instructed to submit a congressional nomination letter. I was 17. I had no idea who our congressman was. I shared this information with Whiteoak vo-ag teacher, FFA adviser and all-around good guy Randy Roush (like Bill, Randy was from Lynchburg, more on that in a moment). To this day, I am not 100-percent sure what transpired, but my guess is that Randy knew Bill, who knew our 1979 Congressman William H. Harsha.

On April 25, 1979, Congressman Harsha nominated me to West Point. I went through – and surprisingly passed – some physical, health and mental evaluations at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana, but ultimately went to UC. Thanks, Bill.

Somewhat jokingly, I once talked with Bill about his Lynchburg political "cartel." After all, with Bill's help, Highland County not long ago had all three county commissioners who were from Lynchburg, as was Bill. The county had a clerk of courts from Lynchburg, two sheriffs from Lynchburg, a county recorder from Lynchburg, and I would not be surprised if a judge or two once lived in Lynchburg and was elected with Bill's assistance. 

Maybe Lynchburg is bigger than I thought. On second thought, no, maybe Bill's influence was. If he endorsed and supported you, you probably got elected.

I've worked at newspapers in Highland, Adams and Scioto counties, and in each county, I had conversations with folks who knew Bill Fawley. Heck, everyone knew and liked Bill.

Sen. Shane Wilkin offered a far better tribute to Bill than I could, and I encourage our readers to take a few minutes and read it at: https://highlandcountypress.com/all-things-i-could-say-bill-fawley-i-wi….

Suffice it to say, Bill Fawley's openness and willingness to help anyone and everyone, and his great sense of humor will be missed. Requiescat in pace.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.