Walt Hatchel

HATCHEL Walter "Bubby" Leon Hatchel passed away peacefully in his sleep November 8, 2011, at his home.

Bubby was born September 24, 1937 to Anthony & Esther Hatchel in Ennis, Texas. He moved to El Paso at an early age and attended Houston Elementary and Austin High school.

He enlisted in the U S Navy, and spent most of his time in Japan. Upon his return from the military, he went to work for Mountain Bell, later known as Southwestern Bell, as a lineman and then in management.

Bubby married Wanna Benton and they became parents to one son, Wesley. In addition to Wesley, Bubby raised Wanna's three other children, Lynnette, Diana, and Clay, as his own.

Bubby was very active with Horizon Golf Association, where he spent many happy hours with his friends. He also found time to play baseball, coach little league and assist with softball for the blind. Golf was his passion, but he also loved baseball and football.

Bubby and Wanna moved to Grand Prairie, Texas, in 1994 due to Wanna's illness, and he took care of her until she passed away.

Bubby married Margie Haller in 1998.

He will be remembered as a kind and generous person. He supported the Disabled Veterans Association and donated a lot of time and energy to mentally challenged and various other organizations.

Survivors are his wife Margie; his son Wesley Hatchel and wife Karen, stepson Glenn Grones, stepdaughters Lynnette Dell and her husband Ben, and Diana Myklebust and her husband Randy; Bubby's sister, Beverly Roberts and her husband Bernard, Bubby's brothers Anthony Hatchel Jr. and Clarence Hatchel and his wife Silvia; grandson Tyler Hatchel, stepgrandchildren Clay Allen Benton, Shane Gianes, Krista Gianes, Michael Brooks, Ryan Dell, Alisa Rogers, Melissa Lambert and Charles Grones, and stepgreat-grandchildren Jade Gianes, Delylia Brooks and Helen Lambert.