Bill Hatch, 99, of Wellington, Texas, passed away at Ussery Roan Texas Veterans Home in Amarillo, Texas Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
Funeral services took place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at the First Methodist Church with Dana Bell and Gene Pena officiating. Burial followed in Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements were by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington.
Gene Pena, Dana Bell, Ricky Brown, Jerry Lewis, Neal Odom and Rodney Kane served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers included Ralph Owens, Lyman Daniel, Jack Neeley and Andy Henard.
Bill was born Feb. 20, 1924, in Eldorado, Okla., to F.A.and Theresa Hatch.They moved to Wellington his junior year. He graduated from Wellington High School in 1941. After graduation, he traveled to Washington, D.C. and worked for his uncle, Senator Carl Hatch, for one year. He then moved back to Texas and attended Texas Tech University.
When he turned 19,he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in World War II in the 704th Tank Battalion. Bill fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received three bronze stars.
Following his discharge, Bill returned home to Wellington and bought a third interest in Hatch Dry Goods. He bought his dad out upon his retirement.
He married Zelda Welch in 1947, and they raised three boys. Bill sold the store after 50 years to take care of Zelda. They were married for 50 years before she preceded him in death. After her passing, Bill became the greeter for Community Bank, which later became Pilgrim Bank, for 17 years.
Bill served on the High Plains Baptist Hospital Advisory Board and as the Collingsworth County Panhandle Regional Planning Commission representative, both in Amarillo, and on the Collingsworth County Draft Board.
He served three terms as the mayor of Wellington, two terms as president of the Chamber of Commerce, chairman of every committee at the First Methodist Church and as Cubmaster when the three sons were young. He was honored more than once as Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year.
Bill was a charter member of the local Glynn Moore VFW Post 6439.
His hobbies were gardening and working in the yard.
Bill was also preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Frank Hatch and wife Dorothy; a sister, Dorothy Gribble and husband Fred; and son Bryan Hatch.
His is survived by his brother, Tim Hatch and wife Tommie, of Lubbock, Texas; two sons, Dan Hatch and wife Linda, of Amarillo, and Carlos and husband Brian, of New York; his daughter-inlaw, Terri Hatch, of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren, Ami Odell and husband John, Ashley Hatch and wife Rebecca, Will Hatch and wife Talitha and Morgan Hatch; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the First Methodist Church,P.O. Box 767, Wellington, TX 79095, or Wellington Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 321, Wellington,TX 79095.
Sign the online guest book at adamsfuneralsvc.com.
