Laura Elaine Bills Hathaway

September 29, 1966 - June 22, 2020

Laura Elaine Bills Hathaway, age 53, passed away on June 22, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born on September 29, 1966 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Joan May Monteer Bills and David Todd Bills. Laura grew up in Rose Park. Laura had many interests including a love for reading often re-reading her favorite books including the Little House on the Prairie series as a child and in recent years the Harry Potter series narrated by Jim Dale. She also enjoyed romance and science fiction. To keep track of her reading for years she kept a spreadsheet listing every book she read. From an early age Laura liked to sing and performed in the Treble Clefs chorus with her mother for a number of years. She also enjoyed listening to a wide range of music including the Moody Blues, Air Supplies and much more from many eras. Laura also enjoyed art and although time did not always permit her to pursue this hobby, she was an accomplished painter primarily of scenes from nature. She also knitted and crocheted. For a number of years she was a member of the Taxmasters Toastmasters club serving a term as treasurer. Blind from birth Laura was active from a young age in the blindness community as a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Utah, first helping her mother who served as President for many years and later in her own roles as an officer on the state and local chapter level. In recent years Laura became a fixture at state conventions helping with meal planning, registration and other tasks necessary to help things run smoothly. For many years Laura operated food service facilities as part of the Business Enterprise Program in the health department and Federal building in Salt Lake City. After her BEP service she worked at the Utah State Capitol for ten years as the information operator. From there she worked at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired as the training center secretary. Her position brought her into daily contact with the students who appreciated her positive and helpful support. Although older than the typical college student Laura took on the challenge to get a degree in human resources and though her college experience was interrupted by a bout with cancer, she received a bachelor’s degree. In 2018 she was awarded the highest scholarship of $4, 500 from the National Federation of the Blind of Utah. Laura worked hard to find employment interviewing for many jobs through state government once saying that she was becoming an expert at interviewing. Last fall her efforts were rewarded when she obtained a job at the Utah State Office of Education, a job she held until her death. Laura is survived by her husband Chris Hathaway, Hedwig her umbrella cockatoo, sisters Kaylene (Gene) Thomson, Sharon (Karl) Smith, Jannis (Neal) Spencer, Christine (Curtis) Knudsen, along with several nieces and nephews who will miss her. She was preceded in death by her parents. Arrangements are under the direction of Wiscombe Memorial.