Willis Hatcher, Jr.

Willis Eugene “Buck” Hatcher, Jr., 84 of South Chesterfield, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022.  He was born June 4, 1937, to the late Willis Eugene Hatcher, Sr. and Ruth Hickman Hatcher.  In addition to his parents, Buck was also preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Thompson Hatcher and a grandson, Hunter Reece Hatcher.  Buck is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Leigh Hatcher Hull and husband, John Wendell Hull, III and Cynthia Ann Hatcher Carroll; two sons, Jeffery Travis Hatcher and Dean Reece Hatcher; five grandsons, Joshua Reece Howard and wife, Amanda Leigh Holt Howard, Travis Hoyt Carroll, Jacob Donais Davison, Luke Dean Hatcher, and Connor Jeffrey Hatcher; two granddaughters, Amanda Leigh Jacobs and husband Matthew Dale Jacobs and Katelyn Elizabeth Hatcher; three great-grandchildren, Lily Reese Howard, Evan Lee Howard, and baby Jacobs, expected in April; and a brother, Edward Allen Hatcher. Soon after graduating high school in Covington Virginia in 1955, Buck joined the United States Navy and served onboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph (CVS-15) as a Machinist Mate 3rd Class.  During his time in the Navy he deployed to the Mediterranean twice and was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal. In August of 1959 Buck married his lifelong love, Carolyn "Lolly" Thompson, in Covington, VA.  Soon after marrying Lolly, Buck was Honorably Discharged from the Navy and went on to attend the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Ohio where he learned the trade that would serve him through his retirement in 2002.  Buck and Lolly moved their young and growing family from Covington to Lynchburg to Hopewell and eventually to Chester VA. Over the years, he and Lolly raised 4 children who gave them 8 grandchildren and 2, soon to be 3 great grandchildren.  Buck was a loving and attentive husband and patriarch to his family.  He served God and his country; he was a great provider and protector for his family.  He was courageous, strong, caring, funny, loving, kind, steady and most importantly he was always there for his family. He will be missed and his memory will be cherished. The family is most comforted knowing that Buck is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and reunited with Lolly in heaven.  A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Road, S. Prince George, Va, 23805.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Swift Creek Baptist Church, 18510 Branders Bridge Rd, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.  Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.