Ben “Bennie” Lee Hatcher went to be with our Lord Monday night, January 20, 2026. He had been recovering over the years from a non-traumatic brain injury that happened in 2018. He overcame most of the injury through physical therapy and determination. He was a strong man, a great golfer, a devoted husband and father, and a good Christian. He was born and grew up in Hartford Arkansas. He moved to San Pedro, California as a teenager with all his family. In his younger years he worked many construction jobs, home remodels, professional home painting, and the Post Office at the same time. In the mid 1970’s he opened Ben’s Jewelers in Huntington Beach, California and soon after moved on to El Centro, California and re-opened Ford Jewelers and another jewelry store in Brawley, California. He sold his jewelry stores in 1990 and a year later moved back to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Retirement was travel and golf. He was an avid golfer, played and won many golf tournaments. All in all he enjoyed life to the fullest.
Ben was baptized as a teenager in the creek near Hartford, he was a member of Asbury Church in Greenwood, Arkansas He was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Hatcher; his mother, Pauline Hatcher Wilkins; his daughter, Cheri; his older brother, Woodrow Hatcher Jr. and his sister, Carolyn Gowin. He is survived by the love of his life of 51 years, Vicki; three brothers, John Hatcher, Phil Hatcher and David Hatcher; one sister, Diana Foley; three sons, Mike L. Hatcher, Greg Hatcher, and Michael A. Hatcher; one daughter, Lori Ford; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Mercy Hospice, who came daily to the home near the end of his life. They took very good care of him while allowing him to go as peacefully as possible and keep his dignity.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Thursday, January 29 at Asbury Church in Greenwood with burial at Liberty Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Wednesday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Greg Hatcher, Ben Hatcher, Bernie Pickle, John Miller, David Embrey and Bob Ford. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike L. Hatcher, John Hatcher, Michael A. Hatcher, Phil Hatcher, David Hatcher, Dudley Henderson and the Vache Grasse Men’s Golf Association.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
