William F. Herbig, 72, traveling evangelist, a contemporary of Billy Sunday and Aimee Semple McPherson, died Thursday morning at an Aberdeen hospital. He had lived in Hoquiam at 2335 Aberdeen Avenue, for the past nine years.
Born in Illinois, Rev. Herbig was a successful farmer and businessman in his native state when he sold his interests and turned to the ministry, attending Taylor University and the Chicago Evangelistic Institute. He was ordained in December 1908.
His first mission was as a circuit horseback rider, and then he traveled through the 36 states as an evangelist. During his lifetime he had written several books and tracts, some of them being transferred into foreign languages.
When he retired from the ministry and came to Hoquiam, he repaired clocks for a hobby. At one time he was the dean of a Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With Mrs. Herbig, he observed his 51st wedding anniversary Jan. 1.
Surviving are his wife, Maude, in Hoquiam; two daughters, Mrs. Leola Whorton, Hoquiam, and Mrs. Naomi Eide, Aberdeen; four sons, Vernon W., Umatilla, Oregon, Ade, Port Angeles, Wash., Captain Merle Herbig, U.S. army, Honolulu, and Philip N. Herbig of Hoquiam; three brothers, Walter and Henry of Marquette, Nebraska, and Bert, of Compton, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Lulu Andrews, Aurora, Nebraska, and 10 grandchildren.
Funeral services are awaiting the arrival of Captain Herbig who is enroute from Honolulu.
