by Amanda Rink, Editor
Hagie Manufacturing, founded in 1947 by Ray Hagie in Clarion, has long been a leader in revolutionizing agricultural machinery. The company introduced the world’s first self-propelled sprayer, setting the standard for innovation in crop protection equipment. Over the years, Hagie has continued to pioneer industry advancements.
Through it all, the company has held a strong tradition of employee dedication, people like Bill Spears, whose 54-year tenure reflects the loyalty and work ethic that define both Hagie and the town of Clarion. In 2016, Hagie partnered with John Deere, a move that expanded its reach. Despite changes in ownership, the company has remained involved in Clarion and dedicated to its employees.
Bill Spears’ journey to Hagie began in his hometown of Traer, Iowa, where he worked as a mechanic at a Chevrolet garage. “I was a mechanic at a Chevrolet garage in my hometown of Traer, Iowa, and the Hagie salesman at the time, Gary Thomas, came in one day,” Bill shared. “He mentioned that Hagie was looking for someone with a pilot’s license, and I had just completed my private pilot’s license, so I applied.”
Bill started his career at Hagie in 1971. “I started on February 15, 1971. My first job was working in the service department, repairing and rebuilding 437 sprayers,” he said. “My boss at the time was Don Wyborn, the service manager, and I worked under Gordon Smith in the shop.”
Hagie has changed immensely over the years, and Bill has witnessed it firsthand. “When I started, the most expensive machine was a 440 sprayer, and it sold for about $7,500. Now, the most expensive sprayers are 100 times that,” he explained. “The machines back then were simpler, easy to work on, and didn’t have many problems, but they were also much smaller in comparison to what they are today.”
Bill noted an evolution in the machines, especially in speed and efficiency. “Back when I started, sprayers were traveling at 4-5 miles per hour. Now, they can go much faster, and the booms have gotten much larger as well,” he said. “The sheer size and speed of the machines today are amazing.”
When asked about a standout achievement, Bill humbly stated, “No, not really. But I will say this: I always looked forward to coming to work. Talking to people, whether it was coworkers or customers, was important to me. I always tried to relay messages between the company and the customers to improve the product we were making.”
Bill attributed much of his long tenure at Hagies to the people he worked with. “It was the family atmosphere and the people I worked around. Even during frustrating times, I always felt treated with respect, and I tried to pass that respect along to others,” he said.
As Bill prepares to retire, he’s thinking about a much slower pace of life. “I plan to keep traveling on my bike with my son, and occasionally take my wife on trips,” he said. “We still enjoy going to the river and out for suppers.”
Reflecting on his younger self, Bill shared, “If I could give advice to my younger self, I’d say listen more to people. When I was younger, I had an attitude of knowing more than others, but I realized that a lot of times, others knew more than I did. Listening is important, especially when you’re in a leadership position.” Bill emphasized, “Listen to people. You can learn a lot just by talking to them and understanding their perspective. I enjoy talking to people, especially when I travel. I love sitting down at a table in a restaurant, chatting with locals, and learning something new.”
As for family, Bill shared a bit about his loved ones. “I have my wife, Donna, who’s been a big part of my life. We have two sons, Cory and Kevin. Unfortunately, Cory passed away, but Kevin is still with us. We have no grandkids—just the three of us now.”
Bill’s hobbies have always been centered around motorcycles. “I’ve always loved motorcycles, a passion I inherited from my dad,” he said. “My wife and I used to take bike trips every summer. We traveled up into Canada and along the west coast multiple times. It’s something I’ve passed down to my son.”
Finally, when asked what he would have done if not working at Hagie, Bill replied, “I probably would have gone into flying professionally for an airline. I initially thought I’d work for Hagie and build flying hours, but due to health concerns, I decided to stay with Hagie and not pursue aviation.”
In summing up his career, Bill said simply, “It’s been a great career. I’ve loved what I’ve done, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
You can help Hagie celebrate Bill at the Red Shed on March 6.
