Billy Loyd Hatcher was born July 20, 1939 in Antlers, Oklahoma to John and Oma Hatcher. Billy and along with his six sisters and four brothers spent a lot of time in the Ethel community before moving to Fredrick where they worked in the cotton and peanut fields. When he got a little older he and his brothers James and Carl worked in Tulsa, at an ice cream plant. From what I understand, with James's driving, it was some pretty wild rides to Tulsa and back on the weekends. Sometime in 1959 or 1960, He met Earlene Gibson and married her June 11, 1960. They lived in Lawton and Geronimo, Oklahoma. In 1961 Jackie was born, then came along Joanna in 1963. Bill ran a Coca-Cola route at Fort Sill Base until October 1970 at which time they moved back to Antlers. He went to work for Birchfield sawmill driving a forklift and a truck for them. When Birchfield sawmill shut down, he went to work for B&B Lumber hauling pallet material to Fort Worth, Texas and hauling logs part time for the Ayers family. From there Bill went to work for Julian Lumber hauling chips to Fort Maxey for many years and retired a few years ago. Somewhere in the midst of all this, he drove a truck for his brother Carl. Needless to say, trucking was in his blood.

Bill loved his horses. When they lived in Lawton and Geronimo and even in Antlers, he always had horses. The whole family would ride in play days & trail rides, even one time an overnight trail ride in Johns Valley.

Before we start the rest of this, Bill and Earlene parted ways after about 20 years

One day, he and his brother Carl had been at the donut shop, when it was on South High Street, and when they were leaving he came out and told Carl (well that cup of coffee paid off) Carl said what are you talking about? Bill said I got me a date with that blonde and the rest is history.

On March 30, 1983 he married Linda Garman Baze and bonus daughter Karrie, who was five at the time.

Bill and Linda lived in Antlers and enjoyed going to kids and grand kid activities. He rarely missed any of the kids events. One thing is for sure, he loved his family and they loved him.

Everybody that knew Bill has a story of some kind and I'm sure a lot of you have some to tell that are pretty interesting. Carl would always tease him about how much money he had. He would tell Carl "You better quit talking about that, somebody will try to knock me in the head".

A true family man, Bill's joy was evident when he was with his loved ones, whether he was riding horses, fishing, tending to his garden, or supporting his grandchildren at their numerous extracurricular activities. He had immense pride in his family and was present for all their accomplishments, and you could always count on him to show up a little early. Bill had a great love for baseball, but never cared much for basketball. He also loved a good game of dominos, as long as no one suggested 42, and thoroughly enjoyed a good meal at Cracker Barrel or IHOP. Bill was a member of the Antlers Saddle Club and the Baptist Church. His legacy is one of unwavering love for his family, his community, and the happiness found in life's everyday moments.

It's not the money that made him rich. It's all the love that he gave and was given by family and friends

Wild Bill, Wild Willy, Bill, Billy, Dad, Papa. No matter what you know him as, he was greatly loved and surely will be missed by many.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents: John and Oma Hatcher; brothers: Dewey, James, and Donald; and sisters: Doris, Naomi, Kathryn, and Melba.

He is survived by his wife: Linda Hatcher of the home; children: Jackie Hatcher and spouse Tammy of Antlers, Joanna Morgan and spouse Jimmy of Antlers, and Karrie Snow and spouse Terry of Sherman, TX; brother: Carl Hatcher and wife Lacka of Antlers; sisters: Mary Lee White of Antlers, and Norma Jo Gaston of Union City, TN; grandchildren: JJ Hatcher and Amanda of Antlers, Dustin Earl Hatcher and Shana of Antlers, Lacey Gardner and Jett of Antlers, Josh Morgan of Antlers, Chad Morgan of Ardmore, OK, Jessica Morgan of Antlers, Brittney Hampton of Sherman, TX, Kaylee Hampton of Sherman, TX, and Terrin Snow of Sherman, TX; and great-grandchildren: Jakus Hatcher, Jase Hatcher, Kelsey Hatcher, James Hatcher, Madisyn Hatcher, Dawson Morgan, Josie Morgan, Cooper Morgan, Ellis Gardner, Hazel Gardner, and Hudson Dolezalek.

Family night will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 6-8PM at Serenity Funeral Service of Antlers. Funeral service will take place on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 9:55AM at First Baptist Church Antlers with Aaron Reed officiating. Interment will follow at Dela Cemetery. Pallbearers include: JJ Hatcher, Dustin Earl Hatcher, Dewey John Hatcher, Don Hatcher, James Howard Hatcher, and Charlie Davis. Honorary pallbearers are: Geary Garman, Jett Gardner, Jimmy Morgan, Carl Hatcher, Terry Snow, Chad Morgan, and Josh Morgan.


Services are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Service of Antlers.