Walla Walla lawmaker Grant dies at 71

By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer

WALLA WALLA -- Friends and colleagues remembered Rep. Bill Grant on Monday as a quiet, calm and gracious man who earned the respect of everyone around him.

Grant, 71, a Walla Walla Democrat serving the 16th District, died at Providence St. Mary Medical Center on Sunday, about a month after being diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer.

He had vowed to fight the cancer and return to the Legislature in Olympia, where he was known as a strong advocate for agriculture and Eastern Washington. He was re-elected in November to the seat he held for 22 years.

"Bill was a true statesman and represented our district well, especially in the area of agriculture," said Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla. "My thoughts and prayers, as well as those of the members of my caucus, are with Bill's family today. He will be sorely missed."

Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-College Place, broke into tears while talking about Grant during a telephone interview Monday. Walsh, who was elected to the state House in 2004, had known Grant since moving to Walla Walla about 25 years ago. Her sister-in-law was his legislative assistant.

It was Grant who encouraged Walsh to get involved in politics, first working as an aide to Rep. Dave Mastin, who preceded Walsh in the House, and later by running for the seat herself.

"It truly has been an honor to work with him," Walsh said. "He had a very strong legislative family over there. ... It is a terrible loss."

She described Grant, a native of Walla Walla, as amiable and approachable, qualities she believes earned him tremendous respect as a legislator.

"He was just like the guy in the coffee shop," she said. "He was one of the most down to earth, kind and gracious people. He was an excellent listener. That's one of the traits I hope I have learned from him -- how to listen better."

Mastin worked with Grant for 12 years in the Legislature, including a few years that Mastin was a House Republican majority leader.

He chuckled as he thought back to his first day in the Legislature with Grant at his side. The two were sitting in the Capitol for a joint session with the governor, Supreme Court and other elected officials.

"Everyone was there and I was looking up at the chandeliers, and I say (to Grant), 'If someone had a bomb in here, all of the state government in Washington would be gone.' And he looked at me and said, 'Yep, and the people wouldn't miss a beat,' " Mastin said.

"I'm getting caught up in the grandeur of the moment and he's just as solid as the Earth," he added.

Mastin said Grant, a conservative Democrat, had a unique ability to unite people, regardless of their party affiliation. Legislators often would gather in his office just to sit and gab, while Grant listened and watched.

"I think that was what he enjoyed the most, sitting in the big old chair in the corner of his office and people from Ritzville and people from Seattle just sitting and talking and enjoying each other's company," Mastin said. "I would consider him one of the political giants of our generation."

Grant, a fourth-generation wheat farmer and 1959 Whitman College graduate, was known for his work on water policy and agriculture. A building at Walla Walla Community College is named in his honor.

Democratic precinct officers in the 16th District, which includes Walla Walla County, Columbia County and parts of Benton and Franklin counties, will meet to nominate three potential replacements for Grant's seat, said David Ammons, a spokesman for the Washington Secretary of State's office. County commissioners in those counties then will vote on a candidate from that list.

If a majority of the county commissioners cannot agree on a nominee within 60 days, Gov. Chris Gregoire would make an appointment, who would serve until a special election can be held in November, Ammons said.

Grant is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Nancy; and four children, Gina, Laura, Amy and Jonathan; as well as 11 grandchildren, according to the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

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Tuesday, Jan. 06, 2009

Walla Walla lawmaker Grant dies at 71

By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer