William "Bill" Roger Hatton, 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 15, 2013, in Kalispell, surrounded by his family.
Bill was born on Feb. 29, 1928, in Hinsdale, to Thoralf and Hazel Hatton.
Bill lived in Hinsdale, Wheeler and Glasgow in his growing up years. He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1946.
After high school, he joined the Army and served 16 months as a truck master during the Korean War. Upon returning home from the war, he attended college in Dillon for three and a half years. During the summers, he worked as a smokejumper in the Missoula area. He enjoyed working as a logger in the woods, both in Montana and Alaska.
In March of 1967, he married JoAnn Ryder Jones and took on the role of father to her three children, Mike, Dave and Pam, whom he loved as his own. Over the next 12 years, Bill and JoAnn had three more daughters of their own, Diane, Julie and Vicky.
In 1971, with a growing family to support, Bill made the decision to move to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to start a Roto-Rooter drain cleaning franchise. He grew his business into a very successful enterprise through his hard work, integrity and keen business smarts. In 1986, with just two little girls still at home, he sold the business and moved back to Kalispell. He bought the Roto-Rooter business here and ran it for a few years before selling it and retiring. Over the next several years Bill and JoAnn made their home in Valier and Conrad, finally settling back in the Kalispell area.
Through the years Bill found pleasure in camping, hunting and fishing, both with friends and family. He loved being outdoors. Anyone that spent any amount of time with him knew he found great enjoyment in discussing politics, the economy and world affairs.
Bill will be remembered for his friendship, his gentle sense of humor, his vegetable gardens that he took great pride in tending each year, his strong work ethic and his devotion to his family.
He had a strong, yet quiet and gentle way about him. By example, he taught his children to make the most of whatever life brought their way. He loved his family deeply, and especially had a way with the grandchildren whether it be working in the garden together, sharing chocolate chips, making popcorn together, newspaper fights or his comforting back rubs. "Pa" was famous for his pancakes. They were always a treat that was looked forward to when the kids, big and small, came to visit.
Bill leaves behind JoAnn, his loving wife of 46 years; children, Mike and Susan Jones of Hawaii, David and Tami Jones of Post Falls, Idaho, Pam and Billy Ridenour of Kalispell, Diane and Mark Nowoj of Coeur d'Alene, Julie and Brett Gibney of Great Falls, and Vicky and Hans Tronstad of Kalispell; several grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; his sisters, Norma Lynch and Marilyn Maxness, both of Glasgow; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Thoralf; brother, Bob; sister, Peggy; and four siblings that died in infancy.
A special thank you to Edgewood Care Facility and Hospice for the loving care you showed our dad in his last days.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, with a pie and ice cream social to follow at Bible Baptist Church in Kalispell.
To send condolences to the family, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Hatton, please visit our flower store.
Bill was born on Feb. 29, 1928, in Hinsdale, to Thoralf and Hazel Hatton.
Bill lived in Hinsdale, Wheeler and Glasgow in his growing up years. He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1946.
After high school, he joined the Army and served 16 months as a truck master during the Korean War. Upon returning home from the war, he attended college in Dillon for three and a half years. During the summers, he worked as a smokejumper in the Missoula area. He enjoyed working as a logger in the woods, both in Montana and Alaska.
In March of 1967, he married JoAnn Ryder Jones and took on the role of father to her three children, Mike, Dave and Pam, whom he loved as his own. Over the next 12 years, Bill and JoAnn had three more daughters of their own, Diane, Julie and Vicky.
In 1971, with a growing family to support, Bill made the decision to move to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to start a Roto-Rooter drain cleaning franchise. He grew his business into a very successful enterprise through his hard work, integrity and keen business smarts. In 1986, with just two little girls still at home, he sold the business and moved back to Kalispell. He bought the Roto-Rooter business here and ran it for a few years before selling it and retiring. Over the next several years Bill and JoAnn made their home in Valier and Conrad, finally settling back in the Kalispell area.
Through the years Bill found pleasure in camping, hunting and fishing, both with friends and family. He loved being outdoors. Anyone that spent any amount of time with him knew he found great enjoyment in discussing politics, the economy and world affairs.
Bill will be remembered for his friendship, his gentle sense of humor, his vegetable gardens that he took great pride in tending each year, his strong work ethic and his devotion to his family.
He had a strong, yet quiet and gentle way about him. By example, he taught his children to make the most of whatever life brought their way. He loved his family deeply, and especially had a way with the grandchildren whether it be working in the garden together, sharing chocolate chips, making popcorn together, newspaper fights or his comforting back rubs. "Pa" was famous for his pancakes. They were always a treat that was looked forward to when the kids, big and small, came to visit.
Bill leaves behind JoAnn, his loving wife of 46 years; children, Mike and Susan Jones of Hawaii, David and Tami Jones of Post Falls, Idaho, Pam and Billy Ridenour of Kalispell, Diane and Mark Nowoj of Coeur d'Alene, Julie and Brett Gibney of Great Falls, and Vicky and Hans Tronstad of Kalispell; several grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; his sisters, Norma Lynch and Marilyn Maxness, both of Glasgow; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Thoralf; brother, Bob; sister, Peggy; and four siblings that died in infancy.
A special thank you to Edgewood Care Facility and Hospice for the loving care you showed our dad in his last days.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, with a pie and ice cream social to follow at Bible Baptist Church in Kalispell.
To send condolences to the family, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.