FARMINGTON – Willard A. Hatch II, 75, of Farmington, passed away on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.
He was born April 25, 1944, in Snowflake Arizona, to Reed and Edie Hatch, one of eight children.
Willard had a happy and rambunctious childhood in Taylor AZ, full of family, faith and activity, and participated in football, basketball, bullriding and baseball. He graduated from Snowflake Union High School in 1962, and went to Arizona State University that fall.
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New England States from 1963-1965, and met Carol Palmer in Farmington just a few weeks before his mission was complete. He transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo, UT to pursue Carol at her school, and the two were married August 25, 1967 in the Salt Lake City temple. He then transferred back to Arizona State, graduating in 1969 with a B.S.
Willard and Carol moved to Maine in 1972, where they started Hatch Homes, building over 100 modulars for many years in Franklin County. He and Carol took over her family’s business, Palmer Realty, in 1982, and he worked for the rest of his life as a Realtor. Willard enjoyed Atlantic salmon fishing, hunting, and rooting against the Red Sox. His greatest happiness was when family was together, be it Maine, Arizona, or wherever a few could gather. His devotion to his faith and his service to others were a shining example to all who knew him; he put thousands of miles and hours into serving those who needed help. Willard was known for his ebullient personality, always having candy in his pockets, and his flamboyant Jerry Garcia ties.
Willard is survived by his wife Carol; three children, Jackie (Dan), W. Ansen III (Ashleigh), and Chris (Andrea); and 9 grandchildren: Katherine (Matt), Brian and Diane Hayes; Addison, Olivia, Willard Ansen IV (Drew), and Ruby Hatch; and David and Alice Hatch. He also has many beloved brothers and sisters, nieces, and nephews that live in AZ.
Services will be held this Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at 2 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on 141 Woodfield Dr. (formerly Perham Heights Dr.) Farmington, Maine. We invite everyone to attend this service, and would love to see you all and celebrate his life together.
So sorry for your loss Carol and family .
My condolences to Carol, and the kids.. such a fun, outgoing man.. infectious laugh, and mischievous smile. I’m sorry for the worlds loss, but heaven is in for a treat.. Willard is home. A truly great man. Rest In Peace my old friend.
Carol & family, so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed talking with Willard and his many stories!
A man with a different story every time we sat and chatted. Always a joy to see him to catch up when I was in town. Always interested in what you were doing, as well as a good ol’ chat about fishing or family. Prayers to the family.
Carol, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very sad time.
There are some “quiet, great men.” I believe Will was one of those. He has been, and will be, sorely missed in West Farmington.
I just read this and I feel very sad.
You two will always feel like a part
Of my life. I will miss him big time
Carol I feel so sorry for you and your
Children’s pain. I’m here if you need to
Talk.
541-979-6079. I know how it
Feels to lose your rock. I send my love
And wish you the best.
The only positive thing is all the loved
Ones who are greeting him. I am very
Sure that Bill is one of them.
Love you, Gloria.😂💜
heaven truly gained an angel…
willard was a friend to all, his smile was infectious and to all those around him life was just better.
a lot of my childhood memories include this great man,
from learning ro ride my bike at palmer reality to Matthew the moose in the church.
I love his stories….
hugs and prayers to the Hatch family <3 <3
My family friends. A great mentor, leader, & friend. I will miss you. You were great to me and was a great example. “ God be with you til we meet again”.
I’m sorry you lost your Dad & Husband. It’s hard to say, “see you later.” Be strong.
-Jared Dickson.
sorry to hear about Willard, he was always very special to my dad( Bill Hatch) we loved him. May you be comforted at this. Love, Michalene Hatch.
My condolences to you and your family Carol.
I am so sorry for willard’s passing. He was a great friend and always enjoyed his company and conversation. He will be truly missed
Sorry to hear , It was always great to see and visit with him when he came to Taylor to visit with his Mother and Father before They Passed through the Vail I know there was a Great Reunion on the other side! May God bless you at this time!
Farmington has lost a great man! He holds a place in my heart and always will. My love and prayers go out to the Hatch family.
Such a wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carol and family.
Carol, so sorry for your loss, Willard was a sweet man who always wore a smile, especially when I’d see him at the Ice cream shop or Palmer Reality..Heaven is surely Blessed with his Presence.. May all the wonderful memories bring comfort to you and your family .
A great pillar of society in Farmington!
My deepest sympathies to Carol and to the family. He certainly will be missed. Everytime I saw him he always had a smile. I will miss chatting and seeing him come into the store. It was a honor and privilege to have known him. His smile and personality will be a light shining beyond the veil now!
Sorry to hear of Will’s passing. I remember the coon hunting nights and I am sure you and Herb will have many memories to reminisce. May you R. I.P. Condolence to the family.
Sorry for your loss Carol.. I enjoyed knowing Willard… always had a smile on his face and good word to say
Please accept my condolences. Willard always went out of his way to say hi and to ask about the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear this! Willard was a great man. Always the gentlemen, and a great story teller. A loss for all.
Please accept our condolences for your loss Carol. Willard was a true gentleman and one of the nicest people anyone could meet. Always ready with his trademark smile, a story and a handshake my life is better having known him.
Dearest Carol & Family,
My sincerest condolences to you all. Willard was one of the most interesting men I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. His kindness, humor, and gentlemanly ways will be greatly missed by all in this community. I loved to hear the stories of his life and the joi de vivre he always displayed. Rest in peace my friend.
FARMINGTON AND THE WORLD WILL MISS THIS WONDERFUL MAN,GOD BLESS YOU BULLRIDER!!!!!
Dear Carol & Family,
Sending Sympathy and Thoughts of Comfort to you all. Through the years, Willard always greeted me with a
happy smile and cheerful words. Our area has lost a Champion. Thinking of you.
Please accept our condolences. We met President Hatch when we received our Patriarchal Blessings so long ago. He was truly a great man. He was admired and cherished by so many. It was a delight to know him!
Carol and Hatch Family:
So sorry to hear of Willard’s passing. We know your faith will see you through this very difficult time and so truly glad you all have each other. The stories of his life will also be told. Prayers for healing.
A fair minded broker and human being. He will certainly be missed.
How we’ll all miss Willard. Chats at the West Farmington Post Office. Chats at the Registry of Deeds. The “kisses” he shared – sometimes melted in his pocket. Tootsie rolls when the kisses were gone. The political grumbles… And his stories of his home State. Lots more.
Rest easy, Willard. Carol and crew will be just fine.
Carol and family Tim and I are so sorry for your loss. Willard was a great man and had the heart of a gentle giant. He was like a father to many and a brother to even more. He always had a kind word or stern advice whenever I needed it most. He will be sadly missed by every person who knew him. Our condolences to your family.
Debbie and Tim Sirois
My deepest condolences, Carol. I remember within a week of us moving in, Willard happily came to repair the water heater in our house. One great example of his many acts of service. . .You two are such great examples and as difficult as it is I know you will carry on doing wonderful things as you always do. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brad
Another angel gets his wings. My deepest condolences to Carol and family.
Carol we are so sorry for your loss a good man with a big smile on his face all the time a very kind a gentle soul hugs to you and your family may gods peace be with you and your family
So sorry to hear of Willards passing, he was a friend to all. The Hatch’s have a great family legacy in this little town. As we visited the cemetery last Sunday to spend a little time there with our dear daughter Marcy.⁰⁰0 As we walked around that beautiful resting place for so many Hatch family members we saw the headstones for Willard A. Hatch, his wife, their 3 children that passed so closely to one another. Times were tough , I ‘ve heard the Hatch family tell how when one of those precious children passed , Feb. 11, 1866 the ground was frozen the family drug the grave with pick axes, shovels.
And when they completed that burial they went home and another child had passed. Many , many stories of the Hatch family strength, and faith. That strong faith was passed on to this great Willard Ansen Hatch An High School friend, and a Hatch cousin. Peace be with his good family. .
I will miss this champion of Faith, Family, and Humor. Served for him and with him and enjoyed his never ending stories and zest for life. He was one of a kind, they broke the mold. The world has to stop, bend over and clench it’s knees for a moment to catch it’s breath and its thoughts before it can move on…. We all lost a great one.
Carol I am so sorry for your loss. I first met you and Willard back in 1988 when I purchased one of your Hatch Homes and ever since then anytime I saw Willard it was like seeing an old friend. He will be missed by many.
Praying for you and your family.
Wendy
I grew up neighbors to Willard in Taylor, Arizona. He was a fun, kind friend. I see that the family tradition of
service and caring for others passed on through the whole Hatch family. I send by love and condolences to all of Willard’s family.
Sybil Palmer Corry
We are so very sorry to hear this.Bill, Linda, and April Meier Copeland
My condolences to the Hatch Family. Willard was a wonderful man and friend. I am privileged to have known him and so very sorry to the family he leaves behind. God be with you til we meet again.
Dear Carole & Family,
You have my deepest sympathies. Bishop Hatch (as he always will be to me!) was a man with a great sense of humor and huge & loving heart. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. To know Willard Hatch was to know there was a kind heart and listening soul who was always giving of himself. Prayers for all of you.
Rachelle (Shelly) Hatt Hills
Rest in Peace Willard, Rick and Jane Ford
Willard always had time to stop and talk to me. I always respected him. Thinking of you, Carol. Nancy and Dave Weeks
Thinking of you Carol and Jackie. Willard and I had many talks at the post office so I do understand the impact his death will have on the family. RIP Willard.
Willard was a very kind hearted person. I remember my Dad, Louie Barker and my brothers, Ricky and Randy Barker, stopping at the White Elephant to get a bite to eat after hunting or fishing (can’t remember which) and Willard was there and invited them to eat with him. They shared many stories and had a wonderful time. My Dad is gone now and is probably still talking hunting and fishing with Willard as I write this. Our prayers go out to Carol and the family in this time of great sorrow and loss. May you always know that others care and feel your pain.
Carol, So sorry for the loss to you and your family. Enjoyed meeting with him at classes & meetings.
My sympathies,
Sherry Gregory
Just received the notice from the board that Willard passed away on Monday. Our deepest sympathies go out to you Carol and all of your family. He was such a joy to talk with at any of our meetings, and Jack loved to talk fishing with him.
May he rest in everlasting peace.
Charlotte & Jack Davis
Carol and family, my sincere condolences on your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sadness.
Willard is one of the best men I know! He has blessed me and my children so much! We hope you are all well and please know of our gratitude for Willard and your family! God bless!
So sorry for your loss Carol, my prayers go out to you and your family. Willard was a great guy and friend. We will sure miss him.
May he rest in Spirit Paradise Carol. For some reason, I can’t get the Carol Burnett jingle out of my mind and it expresses how I feel, “seems we just got started and before you know it….comes the time we have to say so long.” My Nana used to say no goodbyes, just so long for now. May your faith, family and friends hold you up in love and prayer always.<3
Not enough words to say how much of a loss this is. I’ll miss our occasional chat at Hannafords, especially the fishing stories.He cared….. many don’t. The best to you Carol and your family.
Heartfelt condolences to the Hatch family. Willard was one of a kind. It would be inappropriate to share most of the jokes I heard from him on this forum, but I very distinctly recall the advice he gave Ansen before heading off to college, which I embraced as well: “Don’t ever let school get in the way of fun.” Whether he meant it or not, I took it seriously. Rest In Peace Willard…hopefully there aren’t too many people up there taking up 2 parking spots!
Ansen,
Tom and I met your parents once or twice. Tom saw your dad upon occasion. They are both people that are good examples for you. We are sending you our condolences for your father’s passing and all our prayers to you, your mom and the rest of the family for strength in your times of sorrow. May you remember all the best times with your dad and smile. Have a safe trip back to your home.
Sincerely, Tom and Lillian Matthews
Carol and Family, We are saddened to hear of Willard’s pairing. He was a giant in Spirit and goodness. We have such fond memories of our time together. May you be comforted in knowing that he LIVED his family. Love and comfort for all of you
So sorry Carol for your loss..