William Craig Hume

William Craig Hume, better known as Bill, died Wednesday, June 5 after a two year battle with bladder cancer.  He was a model of humor, generosity, and kindness, and he took joy in sharing his vast knowledge with everyone in his life.  After serving in the Army for three years in Germany and completing his journalism degree at UNM, he entered a 36 year employment with the Albuquerque Journal, where he climbed from a police reporter to the Editor of the Editorial Page.  His coworkers there remember him as “brilliant and analytical… unfailing in adhering to his journalism compass”.  In 2002, he was approached by Gov. Bill Richardson to serve as Director of Policy in the governor’s administration.  There he was able to extend his agency to two of his favorite subjects as an editorial writer: water rights/policy and Native American issues, among others.  Gov. Richardson remembers him as “instrumental in many of our initiatives,” and his government coworkers described him as a wealth of knowledge and an amazing communications liaison.  After retiring in 2009, Hume refocused his time to his first loves: music, cars, and the beloved cabin he built from scratch outside Grants, NM. He was truly a friend to all he met, and most will recount stories of learning from him and laughing with him.  Many enjoy memories of watching him play or playing guitar with him.  His family simply treasures his warmth, wit, and wonderfully stubborn refusal to “grow up”.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Betty; his children Will and Betsy and her partner Ali Hashemian; his brother Bob Hume and son; sisters Ann Hume, Jane Anderson and Mary Hume and their children; and cousins Craig and Ann Stephenson among others.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to any of the following: Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust: https://rgalt.org/donate/; Roadrunner Food Bank: https://roadrunner-food-bank.snwbll.com/giving-portal/; Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: https://cumbrestoltec.com/about-us-2/168-2/.