William Hatcher

Bill Hatcher, age 86, died Tuesday June 12, 2012 at his home. He was born November 1, 1925 at his grandparents’ home in rural Garvin county, OK. He was preceded in death by both of his parents – Jim Hatcher and Ruth (Martin) Hatcher. He is survived by his wife, Marian of the home, son, Jim Hatcher of Oklahoma City, step son, John Annis and his wife, Gail of Washington, IL, granddaughter, Angela Annis of Washington, IL and great grandson, Josh Backes also of Washington, IL; and one brother in law, Jim Benson and his wife Gwen of Webbers Falls, OK.

In 1941 his father was about to be drafted, so he took Bill with him and they both enlisted in the Navy at the same time. Bill was still in high school. After he was discharged from the Navy, he earned his high school diploma. He went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co where he worked for 36 years.

In 1955 he met and married Marian Jean Annis, who also worked for Southwestern Bell. In 1969 he joined the Enid Shrine Club where he served as president of the club in 1973. Then he went on to become chairman of the Enid Shrine Club Crippled Children program. He served in that capacity for the next 25 years until his health prevented him from serving with the Children’s Committee. He was Captain of the Shrine Motor Patrol for several years.

He and Marian both retired from Southwestern Bell in 1982. They enjoyed traveling. Bill was a member of the Christian Church of the Covenant and served as deacon there. Other organizations he belonged to were Akdar Shrine Temple, Masonic Lodge, Enid Shrine Club, VFW, American Legion and Telephone Pioneers.

Services will be 10 am Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Christian Church of the Covenant and burial will be 2:00 pm at the Britton Cemetery in Oklahoma City. Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Fund or Christian Church of the Covenant. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-7 pm at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.