Found Deceased AK- Bill Hartlage, 76, Willow Creek State Park, Willow, 27 June 2019

[doodles1211]

An attorney from Louisville went missing last week in Alaska, according to police.

William “Bill” Hartlage, 76, was reported missing about 7 p.m. on June 27 near Willow Creek State Recreational Area in Willow, Alaska, according to the Division of Alaska State Troopers.

A family member reported Hartlage had not returned from fly fishing on Willow Creek at the Susitna River, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Later that evening, two boat crews and a helicopter crew began searching for Hartlage, focusing on an area north of the Susitna River and east along Willow Creek, according to authorities.

An initial search did not locate Hartlage or reveal any additional information about Hartlage's location, Alaskan authorities said.

Hartlage spent much of his career as a defense attorney at Fulton Hubbard and Hubbard in Bardstown, according to the law firm.

Ken Marsh, a spokesperson for Alaska State Troopers, told the Courier Journal the search for Hartlage has been suspended. ...

A Kentucky attorney went missing while fishing in Alaska, police say

 

[PommyMommy]

Willow Creek near Susitna River - Google Maps

JUL 2, 2019
Dream trip turns into nightmare for Louisville lawyer’s family, friends
A dream trip about 90 minutes from Anchorage, Alaska turned into a nightmare for friends and family of Louisville attorney Bill Hartlage, 76.

[...]

After Alaska State Troopers led a search by air, boat and by ground with dogs, family members stated on social media they fear he drowned in high water in the area.

Authorities have not recovered a body and do still have a description of Hartlage for visitors, but have suspended their search.

[...]

He said of Hartlage's joy in it, "He traveled extensively to fish and he would make annual trips to Arkansas, out west and fish the Smokies, and to Florida."

[...]

The search for Hartlage, who taught fly-tying seminars and also hand-built fly rods, began June 27 when his family said he hadn't returned from fishing at Willow Creek.

[...]

Friends said the effective advocate in the courtroom never lost sight of what was important.

[...]

He loved his family, sang in the church choir, in barber shop quartet competitions and cherished dancing with his wife.

[...]

State park workers assisted in the search for Hartlage. Police said unfortunately high country snow and glacial melt from hot weather has Willow Creek and the nearby river running at high levels, made further searching too dangerous

 

[heyjudette]

Very sad. He looks so much like my dad it’s spooking me a bit. Hope he is found safe.

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Found deceased in river.

Body of missing Louisville fisherman found in Alaska river

 

[doodles1211]

Louisville man missing in Alaska found dead

Glad that his body was found for his family's sake. RIP!