Walter Franklin Hatcher, 88, passed from this life on March 27, 2023, in a local care facility. Mr. Hatcher was a native of Quanah, Texas.
Mr. Hatcher served his country with honor and distinction for 22 years, one month, and 10 days in the U.S. Army. His military assignments included a tour in Vietnam, two 2-year tours in Germany, Ft. Riley, Kan., and Ft. Bliss, Texas. After completing the Sergeant Major Academy at Ft. Bliss, he was transferred to Louisiana. He was chief instructor of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) detachment at McNeese State University before retirement. Sgt. Maj. Hatcher’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, six awards of the Good Conduct Medal, one overseas bar, and two Vietnam Campaign ribbons.
Mr. Hatcher was an avid golfer and was trained in customizing and repairing golf clubs. He was later employed at Mallard Golf Course and Grey Plantation Golf Course as a course marshal. Walter was an insatiable reader and typically read westerns, historical, suspense novels, and historical non-fiction. Mr. Hatcher believed in furthering his education and skill sets. He was disciplined beyond measure and instilled this in his three children. Mr. Hatcher will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mr. Hatcher was an exceptional conversationalist, made friends wherever he went, and loved to tease people.
Mr. Hatcher was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Mary Ellen Hatcher; his parents, Graden Lee and Zinnie Green Hatcher; brother, Kenneth Hatcher; sister, Pat Frazier; brothers-in-law, Richard “Dick” and Gerald “Jerry” Ruzicka; great-granddaughter, Faith Michele Montgomery and great-great-granddaughter, Scarlett Faith Richard.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Michele Abshire and husband Tim; John Hatcher and wife Susan, and Jeanne Chaffin and husband Luke; five loving grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Larry Frazier, sister-in-law, Mary Pat Hatcher and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Tracy Ozane, Pat Guillory, Sophia January, and Mercy Levias, along with Veranda Memory Care and Harbor Hospice, for their compassionate and excellent care for Mr. Hatcher during the last few months of his life.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in the sanctuary of First Nazarene Church located at 3940 Holly Hill Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. A rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Nathan Long is to officiate. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.lakesidefh.com.