Bill was born in Altus to William and Marie (Beach) Hatton on Aug. 9, 1921. He grew up in Elmer and worked in his father's grocery store. He graduated from Elmer High School in May 1940 and enlisted in the Merchant Marines as an apprentice seaman on Sept. 25, 1942. He received four combat bars, including the Pacific War Zone Bar, Mediterranean War Zone Bar and Merchant Marine Combat Bar. He received his honorable discharge Aug. 23, 1944.
Bill married Virginia Bruce on May 25, 1946, in Vernon, Texas. He went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation in Altus in 1953 and was later transferred to Othella, Wash. He worked for G.S.A. Services in Albuquerque, N.M., for more than 30 years. On Feb. 29, 2004, Bill received the 5-year Masonic pin, was one of five men to be issued the Grandmasters Pin and received a 5-year anniversary certificate at Duncan Masonic Temple. He joined Elmer Methodist Church at a young age and was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Duncan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Virginia; his son Dan; and his brother Johnnie Max Hatton.
He is survived by two granddaughters, Angelia and Allison of Grants, N.M.; two great-grandchildren; brother and sisters-in-law, Reba and Lawayne Drury of Olustee, and Ramona and Leo Gramling of Newcastle, Jim and Kathryn Bruce of Duncan, Emma Lou Bruce of Olustee, and Oleta Hatton of Altus; many other relatives and a host of friends.
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