Albuquerque Journal - August 20, 2002

Longtime Political Reporter Bill Feather Dies at 74

By Fritz Thompson
Journal Staff Writer
Bill Feather, a longtime capitol correspondent for The Associated Press in New Mexico who sometimes knew more about state government than the politicians he reported on, died at his Santa Fe home Sunday evening.
"He was one of the very best statehouse reporters ever," said Howard Graves, who was AP bureau chief in Albuquerque during part of Feather's more than 30 years with the wire service. "He was so accurate, so thorough, he had so much background; he was highly respected. A couple of governors tried to hire him because he knew so much, but he declined."
"He was a real professional and a real gentleman," said Kent Walz, editor of the Albuquerque Journal and a former New Mexico bureau chief for The Associated Press. "He set the mark for New Mexico journalism for many years."
Feather covered New Mexico government and politics for the AP for three decades, reporting on nine governors. He also was a former editor of The New Mexican in Santa Fe.
Feather, 74, died at 9:10 p.m. Sunday at his home. Cremation has occurred, with Berardinelli Family Funeral Service of Santa Fe in charge.
"Bill was just superb," said former Gov. David Cargo.
"He knew more about state government than anybody up there (in Santa Fe) with the exception of Maralyn Budke," Cargo said. Budke is the longtime former director of the state Legislative Finance Committee.
Dave Steinberg, a Journal arts writer and former statehouse reporter for the paper, worked with Feather for many years. "Bill Feather was so astute at numbers that at more than one press conference with a governor, he would correct the tax calculations the governor was presenting to the press corps," Steinberg said.
Feather, an Artesia native, entered the Navy in 1945 after he graduated from Artesia High School. He graduated from New Mexico State University in 1951. He worked at the Las Cruces Citizen while in college.
Feather is survived by his wife, Pat; three sons, Joseph of Albuquerque, Robert of Berkeley, Calif., and Frank of Englishtown, N.J.; four granddaughters; a brother and a sister.