Joe Thomas Hatcher

Joe Thomas Hatcher, SMSgt USAF (Ret.), 82 of Hawley, passed away at Hendrick Medical Center on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. A service is scheduled for 2:00 pm Monday, January 27, 2014, at the Piersall Benton Chapel, 733 Butternut St, with full military honors to follow at Midway Cemetery in Hodges. A visitation will be held Sunday from 3-5pm at the funeral home.

Joe Thomas Hatcher was born on June 7th, 1931, in Statesville, North Carolina, to Buford Thomas and Katie Murdock Hatcher. Joe attended Iredell County schools and graduated from Harmony High School there. After graduation Joe entered the U.S. Military serving both in the Army and Air Force where he served honorably for over twenty-five years. He was stationed overseas during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and during his time there he met and married the love of his life Sadako (Sally) Yamashita. A second career involved working for the State of Texas in management of Texas Employment Commission offices in Abilene and Midland, Texas, and with the Texas Board of Economic Development, in Orange, Texas.

A believer in education and a lifelong learner, Joe continued his education, completing an undergraduate degree and an MBA at Abilene Christian University. No one was ever a stranger to Joe. He truly loved to talk to and get to know everyone he came into contact with. He will always be remembered for his gentle manner. Preceding Joe in death were his parents, his wife Sadako, two brothers, Gary Wayne Hatcher and Jimmy Hatcher, and a sister, Barbara Harris. He is survived by his son Joseph Hatcher of Abilene and a sister Ann Hatcher Mason of North Carolina, as well as many other extended family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Timothy Martin and Dr. Ralph Heaven for the special care and the way they fought diligently for Joe these past many months.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.