William Harold Hatchett

William Harold Hatchett passed into the presence of our Lord on April 12, 2022.  He was born in 1947 in Mangum Oklahoma to William Herbert Hatchett and Fern Sewell Hatchett. Bill has fond memories of growing up in several small towns in Oklahoma including Maramec, Willow, and Elk City as the son of an educator and administrator.   He graduated from Elk City High School in 1965 and went on to attend Cameron Junior College and West Texas State University where he played football and completed ROTC, receiving his army commission. He later earned a Master’s Degree from Florida Institute of Technology while stationed at Ft. Lee Virginia.

Bill married Ruth Ann (Minyard) Hatchett on August 17, 1968 and was a loving and faithful husband through nearly 54 years of marriage before his death.  Together they raised three children and one nephew.   Bill was a great father who passed his love for God, family, and football to his children.  Through his time in the service, Bill’s family traveled the world together and gained a great love for other cultures and people.  Because they lived far from home, they created family wherever they were and developed deep, lifelong friendships. 

Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army for 20 years and retired as a Major in 1990.  He earned a Bronze Star for his service in Viet Nam.  He was also stationed in Korea, Belgium and Honduras, as well as several posts in the US.  After retiring from active duty, Bill worked in Civil Service at Fort Lewis until 2014.  He remained a proud Veteran for the rest of his life. 

Bill’s eight grandchildren were his greatest pride and joy.  He loved time with family and, in particular, watching his grandchildren perform in their various activities.  There weren’t many games or performances he missed, whether close to home or all the way across the country.  Anyone who knew Bill, knew about his grandkids and how proud he was of each and every one of them.  His favorite pastimes were watching football, especially the Oklahoma Sooners, and skiing.

Bill will be greatly missed by his wife, Ruth Ann Minyard Hatchett; son, William Houston Hatchett (Jana); daughters Deanne Conrad (Matt) and Joanne Thomas (Jamie); grandchildren Geirean, Landen and Chance Hatchett, Austin and Sadie Conrad, and Julien, Ruby and Trey Thomas; nephew, Glenn Webb and his children, Glenn Jr. and Skylar Webb; sister Debbie Brown and husband Dennis and many nieces and nephews.  Bill is preceded in death by his parents William and Fern Hatchett, and sisters Glynn Kalish, Sue Moser and Charolette Jackson.

Services will be held on May 1, 2022 at Powers Funeral Home in Puyallup with visitation from noon – 1:00 pm and the service from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.  Burial will be at the Tahoma National Cemetery on Monday, May 2 at 10:00 am.

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