Onalaska Man Accused of Threatening Neighbor Charged With Felony Harassment 

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An Onalaska man accused of directing a racial slur and death threats toward a neighbor in November 2022 has been charged with felony harassment in Lewis County Superior Court. 

The defendant, William S. Hadley, 67, is accused of tailgating the victim’s vehicle from the victim’s Van Hoesen Road property to the Onalaska Shell Station on Nov. 21, 2022, before confronting him at the gas station. 

Hadley was reporting driving “within inches” of the victim’s vehicle, which was traveling at approximately 60 mph, according to court documents.

When the victim stopped at the Shell Station and exited his vehicle, Hadley allegedly got out of his own vehicle, walked up to the victim and called the victim, who is a Native American, the n-word. 

Hadley then allegedly threatened to kill the victim and the victim’s family, according to court documents. 

The alleged victim reported “that Hadley told him not to come back,” and if he did, Hadley “would have something waiting for (the victim),” according to court documents. 

The victim reported the incident to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office that same day, stating that “things have been escalating with Hadley” and the victim “thought Hadley would carry out the threat.” 

Video surveillance from the Shell Station reportedly shows Hadley’s vehicle pull into a parking space before showing Hadley get out of the vehicle after the victim entered the store at the gas station. Instead of going into the store, Hadley reportedly waited by the corner of the building and watched the entrance, according to court documents. The video reportedly confirms that Hadley confronted the alleged victim when he exited the store and continued to follow the victim around the gas pumps as he tried to walk away. Hadley then reportedly got back into his car and left. 

“It appears from the video that the only reason Hadley was at the Shell Station was to confront (the victim),” according to court documents. 



Prior to the alleged Nov. 21 incident, Hadley reportedly “would fire guns while (the victim) was down on his own property,” according to court documents. 

The dispute between the two neighbors was reportedly over the alleged victim’s property on Van Hoesen Road, which the victim told law enforcement was an “investment property.” He was reportedly in the process of securing county approval to use the property for commercial uses, including weddings, private parties and group camping.

According to the alleged victim, Hadley opposed the commercial use plans and “this is the reason Hadley has been harassing (the victim),” according to court documents. 

The victim reported that he brought his family from their Everett home to the Onalaska property on the weekends, but given the alleged harassment, he no longer felt it was safe for him to do so. 

When questioned by law enforcement, Hadley reportedly “denied making the racial slur or threatening (the alleged victim),” according to court documents. He reportedly admitted to following the alleged victim to the gas station, but said he did so “because (the alleged victim) was speeding,” according to court documents. 

The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office filed a felony harassment charge against Hadley in Lewis County Superior Court on Dec. 20 and issued Hadley a summons notice on Dec. 27 ahead of a Jan. 17 preliminary hearing. 

Given that Hadley was present at that hearing on Tuesday, all parties agreed to allow Hadley to remain out of custody on his own personal recognizance. 

The court entered a no-contact order prohibiting Hadley from having any contact with the victim or going within 100 feet of the alleged victim’s property for the duration of the court case. 

His arraignment hearing is scheduled for Jan. 26.