Artist’s sign defined Las Vegas
BETTY WILLIS May 20, 1923 - April 19, 2015
Betty Willis, a commercial artist whose 25-foot-high neon sign blazingly and irrevocably linked Las Vegas with fabulousness, died April 19 at her home in Overton, Nev. She was 91. Her death was confirmed by her daughter Marjorie Holland.
What happens in Las Vegas typically doesn’t last for very long, but Ms. Willis’ fluorescent sign proclaiming “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada,” designed by her and installed by Clark County, Nev., in 1959 in a $4,000 splurge of civic boosterism, became a beloved and surprisingly enduring symbol of the casino capital’s extravagance.
“We thought the town was fabulous, so we added the word,” Ms. Willis said in a 2005 interview with The New York Times. “There was no other word to use.”
She never copyrighted the logo or profited from the sign directly. “It’s my gift to the city,” she said, although she later acknowledged: “I should make a buck out of it. Everybody else is.”
The image was freely reproduced on souvenir tchotchkes ranging from snow globes to Las Vegas centennial license plates.
Anchored in a median on Highway 91 (Las Vegas Boulevard South), which in 1959 was the only road from Los Angeles, the glittering welcome was characteristically overstated, since the city limits were still four miles away. But that didn’t deter tourists from risking their lives to pose under the sign or to get married with the kitschy logo stealing the spotlight. (Parking spaces were later added to the median.)
With typical hometown modesty, Danielle Kelly, executive Age 71, director unexpectedlyof the Neonon Saturday,Museum in May Las Vegas,23, 2015, called of Baldwin.the sign Beloved“the most wife recognizableof Louis Eross and the late Theodore icon in world.” Polesiak; loving mother of Chris Describing(John) Dilla,Ms. Willis Catherineas a Catanzaro trailblazer andin a Ted field( Debra)dominated Polesiak; proud grandmother of Sophia, Hazel and Sylvia; stepmother of Tom Eross, Robert Eross, Laurie ( Joe) Dragonjac, Amy (Dave) Barcelona and their families; sister of LaRue Kennedy, Jean Petrozza, John Bailey, Sharon Hughes and the late Arlene Meert, Janice Ferraro and James Bailey. Diane worked as a registered nurse, was an avid reader and painter. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Friends will be received at the
412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Wednesday from 2- 4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayer on Thursday morning at 9:15. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Albert the Great Church at 10 a.m. Please send condolences to:
www.johnfslater.com by men, Ms. Kelly added: “To say her designs defined Las Vegas is an understatement; the Fabulous Las Vegas sign has become the heart we wear on our sleeve.”
Betty Jane Whitehead was born in Overton, northeast of Las Vegas, on May 20, 1923. Her parents arrived in southern Nevada in 1905 by horse and buggy. Her father, Stephen R. Whitehead, became the first assessor of Clark County. Her mother, the former Gertrude Meader, was a homemaker.
She attended art school in Los Angeles but quit to
On Friday, May 22, 2015, Richard T. "Dick" Glew, age 92, of Monroeville/Pitcairn. Dick was born January 25, 1923, in Trafford and was the son of the late George S. and Anna Violet (Brickel) Glew. He was the husband of Esther Jane ( Wesley) Glew; father of Kenneth W. and Thomas J. Glew of Monroeville; brother of the late Dorothea Vivian Heckman of CA; uncle of Harry A. Wesley, Karen L. ( Don) Dlugos, Laurie J. (Tim) Saporito and Eric Heckman; cousin of Gareth "Gary" (Evelyn) Baker of Ohio and Barry Brickel. Dick was a World War II Army Air Force veteran as radio man and waist gunner on a 824 in the South Pacific. He was a letter carrier in Pitcairn and Monroeville for over 30 years; also secretary of Tyrian Lodge 612 F&AM for 33 years and a member of Valley Lodge 613 F& AM; also a member of Highland Ave. United Methodist Church until it closed, then a member of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church P.C.A. Friends received Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. at the
318 Wall Avenue, Pitcairn. Funeral Service Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church P.C.A., 398 Hochberg Road, Monroeville, with Rev. Richard Lang officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.
Age 33, of Chicago, IL, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2015, peacefully with her devoted and loving husband, Aaron A. Buchner, by her side along with her parents, Robert C. Haller and Susan M. (Roman) Haller. She is survived by her brothers, Charles R. Hallerwork in and advertising.Nathan R. She Haller;returned and her home aunts, when Marilynher (Roman) mother Pfeil, wrote Carol to A. say Roman,she Nancy J. ( Haller) FethL and uncle, missed Jamesher. InR. Haller; Overton, and she her grandfather,got a job at the Lawrence courthouse"Pap" Haller; dispensing along proper with attire manyto cousins.those seekingShe was preceded a divorce in death whose by outfitsher grandmothers,were deemed Jane "Bubba" (Ferguson) Haller andtoo revealingMarion E. (she( Rimlinger)was twice Roman divorced, and herself),Charles R. then Roman.became Stefanie a was legal a talented secretary dancerand and moonlighted gifted as artist,a commercial she graduated artist from drawingthe University dancing of Dayton in 2004, with a degreegirls for in newspaperGraphic Design,ads. and displayingShe was the hired confidenceby a sign that was company,with her Western throughout Neon, her life, where moveda salesmanto New York figured City alone booming and Las determinedVegas needed to a succeed. She began her career in distinctivethe fashion gateway industry greeting working in for Manhattan,visitors. and quickly became a lead designer in the print advertising department. Always wanting to do more, she left New York in 2007 and moved to Chicago, with her portfolio and confidence in hand. She began working for Blue Cross Blue Shield and her talent for design made her an important addition to the company's design team. Stefanie left Blue Cross in 2013 to pursue another passion, yoga. She became a successful yoga instructor and did free lance art work as well. It was in Chicago that Stefanie met Aaron, the love of her life, they were married in 2014. Stefanie's battle with cancer was very difficult, however her spirits never dimmed. Her and Aaron's circle of friends were wonderful and supportive; Stef's family cannot thank them enough. In lieu of flowers, Aaron asks that a memorial donation be made to the Family House at Shadyside Hospital. Friends may call Wednesday, May 27, 2015, from 2- 4 and 6- 8 p. m., at
The Rev. Edward S. Hammett, age 85, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015, in Somerset, PA after a long illness. In his final days, he was uplifted by the many members of the Somerset community who came to visit him, some even bringing him his famous "Grandpa" candy wh i c h h e h a d s o readily handed out for years wherever he went. Born on August 2, 1929, in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of Dr. James M. and Mary Hunter Hammett. On August 30, 1952, he married Virginia Bashforth, a blessed union of nearly 60 years until her passing in December, 2011. On May 25, 2013, he married Claragail Winklevoss, the widow of his life-long friend, Donald Winklevoss. Rev. Hammett was a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA. After serving in the U.S. Army, during the Korean War, he was employed in the business office of Bethlehem Steel Company until he was called to the Lord's service as a minister with the United Methodist Church. A graduate of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, he held a master of divinity degree. He was licensed to preach in 1960 and fully ordained in 1964. Rev. Hammett began his ministry as a pastor at churches in Coulter and Lowber. After his ordination, he served United Methodist Churches in McKeesport, Harrison City, Uniontown, Fairview, McMurray, Charleroi, and Davidson/Scenery Hill. After retiring, he served as visiting pastor for the Trinity Lutheran Church, Somerset. He and Virginia cherished the friendships made in each of the churches he served. Surviving, besides his wife, Claragail, are his four children and their spouses, Karen and David Dempsey, Mount Lebanon, Edward and Dorothy Hammett, Granby, CT, Kimberly and Robert Farrell, Lee Center, NY, and Elizabeth and Harold Elkins, Huntsville, AL; 13 grandchildren, Erin (Steve) Heirendt, Kevin (Ashley) Lensie, Heather Farrell, Emily (Devin) Durham, Robert Farrell III, Justin Hammett, Stephanie ( Josh) Remling, Jonathon Elkins, Shannon Farrell, Jacob Elkins, Abigail Elkins, Sarah Elkins, and Isaac Elkins; seven great-grandchildren, Caden and Kylee Lensie, Blake Elkins, Mia Remling, and Katlyn, Luke and Hanna Heirendt; a brother, James (Ruth) Hammett; and a sister- in- law, Lois ( Duane) Davis; and several nieces and nephews. Friends received 2-4 and 6- 8 p. m. Friday at the
Somerset, 494 W. Main St., Somerset, PA 15501, and one hour prior to the service at the church which will be conducted at 10: 00 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 918 Tayman Ave., Somerset, PA 15501 with the Reverend Linda McElroy Thomas officiating. Interment Round Hill Cemetery. Contributions in Rev. Hammett's memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.
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