William (Bill) Homrighausen spent his high school years in journalism classes and as a reporter for the Clinton Herald newspaper working for 50 cents a week. The Clinton Herald stories included a variety of subject pertinent to the times and the local high school football games. This teenager wrote, then rode his bike downtown to deliver his story about the gridiron from the night before. Thus was the start of his “career” in journalism.
Bill worked for many years at the Iowa Mutual Insurance Company in DeWitt. Bill was well known in the community of DeWitt and knew its history. His youthful exposure to journalism has been a stimulus for essays about some personal memories of bygone days in DeWitt. More than100 of those compositions were published in the local newspaper, The Observer, and later in a book titled: “They Call Me Mr. DeWitt.”
Shirley Davis Homrighausen started in journalism without classes. After graduating from Moline High School, she took a job in photography. That position led to photographer positions, first with a Davenport studio and eventually with the DesMoines Register and finally with the Quad-City Times. During her years with the Quad-City Times, Shirley was the popular women’s editor covering stories at New York fashion shows plus others around the world. In 51 years with the Times, Shirley became the travel editor and Plus 60 Club executive director. Shirley became the person to know and travel with in the Quad Cities.
Shirley and Bill continue to write for newspapers in their later years, never wanting to give up the pen — a great lesson for students.
Bill and Shirley’s interest in journalism at Central stems from their life careers and journalism education. Central Schools continue to have top-notch classes in journalism, and the Homrighausen funding will assist in continuing this for the future.