Wylie Preston Hatchell Jr.

From Spring, Texas

August 29, 1940 - January 26, 2025

In loving memory and honor of my Dad (a "Legend" to so many), I share that he went to be with the Lord at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his father, Wylie P Hatchell, Sr and his mother Bessie Viola Hatchell. He is survived by his sister Judy Gipson, brother Dick Hatchell, daughter Teresa Hopper Stephens, son Timothy Hatchell, daughter-in-law Christine Hatchell, five grandsons: Brett Coppolo with his wife Samantha Coppolo, "PJ" Hatchell with his wife Jessy Hatchell, Corey Hatchell, Charlie Colley with his wife, Veronica Colley, Andy Hatchell with his wife, Ashley Hatchell; four granddaughters: Kirsten Coppolo Holden, Brooke Ashley, Sammi Colley and granddaughter Jamie Hopper; one great granddaughter, Reiny Hatchell; six great grandsons: Parker Thomas, Gunnar Holden, Tucker Hatchell, Walker Holden, Ryker Colley and Beckett Hatchell; ex-wife of 33 yrs Sandy Hatchell and many nieces, nephews, cousins, grand puppies and an army of close friends dear to his "GOLDEN" heart.

HE IS FOREVER LOVED AND WILL BE FOREVER MISSED

Dad lived a long, and adventurous life full of lasting memories that will be forever shared between family and friends. He was a man of many hobbies. He enjoyed golfing, camping, woodworking, boating, Bar-B-Qing, and hunting, to name a few. He enjoyed hunting such that when being at the deer lease was no longer feasible, he enjoyed spending time admiring the deer at my brother and sister-in-law’s, Tim and Christine Hatchell’s property in Canyon Lake, where the deer visit in droves.

His favorite place was his "spot" in Port Mansfield, TX where he and his closest friends had great memories with fishing poles in hand over the salt water. He loved so many things including music (many styles, but Willie Nelson was at the top of his playlist), helping and teaching others, eating out (Mexican food was his favorite), shopping (his favorites were Bass Pro Shop, Academy and good ole Sam's club), Texas (he loved being a Texan), playing pool (he was quite the pool shark back in the day and played his best with a belly full of beer), and in recent years he just loved feeding and watching the birds and supplied many bird feeders and birdhouses all around the assisted living facility where he resided in his later days (he even built two bird houses just this last year). He served in the intelligence department of the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1965. I believe his greatest accomplishment in life was his big family that he deeply loved and who loved him the same. I cannot leave out his accomplishments with and love for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he took great pride in having served on various committees for 32 years (some as the captain). His brother, Dick Hatchell, designed and built a beautiful shadow box displaying all of the badges he earned over the years at the HLSR. This shadow box was Dad's most prized possession. Dad was a "man's man", no doubt. He loved helping others so much. He helped organize and babysat many smokers full of food for families of fallen officers. He taught his grandkids so many things that they cherish and will use this knowledge to carry on his legacy. Not to mention, all the things he taught my brother and myself.

Dad always said he would beat Parkinson's and I feel that had a lot of truth to it. Although he was diagnosed in 2011 (and diagnosed in 2019 with lewy body dementia), he managed to continue enjoying many of his hobbies well into the late stages of these diseases. He never lost too much of his memory, ability to recognize, or his speech. Quality time spent with him well into the later stages without such ailments was such a blessing. He left behind so many treasured memories that will keep him alive in our hearts forever. Papaw was Papaw and everyone loved him so deeply. His friends lit up his heart of gold, as he did theirs. Our family is forever grateful to all of Dad's friends (and there are so, so many) who loved him so very much.

A celebration of his life is being planned and it will be a gathering of love for a man who meant so much to so many. To those that wish to make a memorial donation, the family asks that it please be done in his memory to The Parkinson's Foundation.

Rest in sweet peace "Dad, Papaw, Great Papaw, Wylie P, WPH.” Although the pain is so deep, the joy of your freedom brings peace and happiness for you.

YOU ARE FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER LOVED.