Willie Dell Hatcher

On February 17, 1942, Willie came into this world at seven months, the second child of eight children to Henry and Cora Hatcher in Jena, LA. Willie transitioned on December 27, 2020 at YRMC, Yuma, AZ.

Willie graduated from Goodpine High School, Jena, LA, and Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA. He later enlisted in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. Willie completed his Army contract at Fort Huachuca, AZ, and relocated to Yuma, AZ to work at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground and retired after 38 years of service.

Willie was high on education. He instilled in his children and grandchildren the advantages of going to school. He enjoyed everyone’s accomplishments and was proud to share the news with others. He was a very generous soul, and we were blessed to have him in our lives.

Family was everything to Willie, so he made it a point to stay in touch and was always on the phone talking with them. He was everybody’s cousin. You were lucky if you were on his birthday or Christmas card list. He loved his children, but mostly he was crazy about his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Once he learned how to facetime and to use zoom, there was no stopping him.

Willie is survived by his loving wife, Gloria Hatcher, two daughters and four sons; Mireya Balcazar (Armando) of Yuma, AZ; Adriana Chiang (Angel) of Bakersfield, CA; Ignacio Padilla (Africa) of Yuma, AZ; Jose G. Padilla (Glenny) of Olympia, WA; Jose DJ Padilla of Yuma, AZ and Marcus Hatcher of Ft Walton Beach, FL. He also leaves three sisters; Betty Addison of Jena, LA; Gloria Shields (Columbus) of Natchitoches, LA, and Letishia Hatcher of Jonesville, LA; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Cora Hatcher, sisters Jennie Hatcher and Carolyn Hatcher, and brothers Connie Hatcher, and Don Hatcher.