Longtime 'Hopewell News' Editor Bilyeu Dies at 75

By: Granville "Hank" Bilyeu (bill-YEW'), who began a 40-year career at The Hopewell News while serving at Fort Lee, has died. He was 75.

Bilyeu died Tuesday after years of declining health. A native of Krum, Texas, Bilyeu was reporter, news editor, managing editor and sports editor through his years at the News. He was also an unabashed fan of local teams, sending flowers to the girls' players for a good game or buying dinner for the boys.

Bilyeu won the Virginia High School Coaches Association Marshall Johnson Sports award in 2003. The award, named for retired Associated Press sports editor Marshall Johnson, is given annually to a reporter whose work has contributed to high school athletics.

Bilyeu also won many honors from the Virginia Press Association.