West Virginia Division of Corrections Mourns Loss

​On Friday, March 25, William Spencer “Bill” Haines, Deputy Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Corrections, passed away at his home in Elkins, W.Va.

Haines served the citizens of West Virginia for more than forty years as a police officer, administrator, supervisor and teacher. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Mountaineer Award and a leader in various local, state and federal organizations.

Haines began his career in law enforcement with the West Virginia State Police in 1968 and by 1998 when he retired he had served as Detachment Commander, District Commander, Company Commander and Deputy Superintendent. He then joined the Division of Corrections as Warden of the Huttonsville Correctional Center, where he served until appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Division in 2006.

“It is always difficult to hear of a loss and William Spencer ‘Bill’ Haines is one of them,” said Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. “His service to the state is greatly valued and he will be missed.”

Military Affairs and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Joe Thornton said, “Bill dedicated his time and energy to protecting the people of West Virginia for more than 40 years; we are forever indebted to his service. He was an inspiring man who will truly be missed, and at this difficult time I send my deepest sympathies to his wife, children and grandchildren.”

Jim Rubenstein, Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Corrections, said, “Bill Haines was one of a kind, a true professional who was admired and loved by many. Bill was a man of the utmost integrity, compassion and determination. His love for his wife, Janice, his children, grandchildren and entire family was heartwarming to all who knew him. Not only has the West Virginia Division of Corrections lost a remarkable human being, but the entire state of West Virginia has lost a dedicated public servant. There was only one Bill Haines and we will truly miss him.”

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the First United Methodist Church in Elkins, W.Va. The Tomblyn funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements and condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Rosenbaum Family House at West Virginia University Hospitals in memory of Bill at P.O. Box 8228, Morgantown, WV, 26505-8228.

Contact: Heather Miles, 304-558-2930