If it hadn't been for William Deary, the town of Potlatch would not exist as it stands today. His tenacity as a businessman secured the Potlatch Lumber Co.'s monopoly over the lumber industry on the Palouse River (see Timeline). Then, his dedication to support a thriving business environment shaped the town into the tight-knit and highly structured community that still lasts to this day, even after the mill closure in 1983. Despite criticism from some contemporaries for his cutthroat business tactics, his lasting legacy of dedication to family and community can be seen in the attitudes of current Potlatch residents toward their town.