William Joseph Hatfield,

Aug. 7, 1918 – Dec. 29, 2002

William Joseph “Bill” Hatfield, 84, beloved father and friends, died on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 29, at 4:30 a.m. at Miller’s Merry Manor, New Carlisle, Ind. William was a retired, self-employed Automotive Machinist and owner of Hatfield Auto Services in South Bend many years ago. William was well known as one of the areas finest machinists in his time, specializing in crankshaft grinding, engine re-building. During the 1960’s and 1970’s he specialized in high-performance work. William retired in the mid 1980’s after more than 30 years in business.

William was born on Aug. 7, 1918, in South Bend, Ind., to his parents, Burl and Cora Hatfield, who preceded him in death. Burl died July 1960 and Cora in August 1984. William also had a brother, Lawrence Hatfield who died in August 1960; and a sister, Virginia (Ralph) Walker who died in October 1999.

As a child, William and his family struggled through the Great Depression while William attended Old Nuner Elementary School, and later graduated from Old South Bend (Central) High School in 1936. As a young man, William served his country during World War II, in the United States Air Force. He was stationed first in San Antonio, Texas, and later in Anchorage, Alaska. As a mechanical Tech Sergeant, he and his crew worked to fix and maintain military aircraft.

During the war years, William was married to his first wife, Betty Louise Yike who died in February 1947. He and Betty had a son, William “Little Billy” Hatfield Jr. who died in August 1944 at the age of 3 months old. As a widower, William met and married Alvine Irene Kalka on August 2, 1952. Married for 32 years, Alvin died on Aug. 3, 1984. Unto this marriage was born a son, Paul T. Hatfield of South Bend who survives to cherish his memory. Also surviving are two nephews, Gerald Walker of South Bend and James (Yvonne) Walker of Granger, Ind.; four nieces, Barb Walker of South Bend, Patty (James) Megyese of South Bend, Laura (Mark) Mezzoni of South Bend and Susan (Richard) Davis of Mishawaka; and several great nieces and a great nephew. His brother-in-law, Stan Kalka Jr. and sister-in-law, Florence (Vernon) Gier, both of Fallbrook, Calif., also survive.

He was a former member of the Old River Park Church of Christ, South Bend, and also a former member of the Westside Church of Christ, South Bend. After his retirement, William was a member of the American Legion Post #50, in South Bend, the VFW, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Widowed to Widowed, among others. William enjoyed history, archeology, some science, and reading his Bible. He also enjoyed Notre Dame football and Chicago Cubs baseball. William will be greatly missed by his son, Paul and his memory will be cherished by those who love him God bless you William, God Bless you Dad!

Funeral services for Williams will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan.3, in the Kaniewski Funeral Chapel, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. Visitation will be held from 11 to 1 p.m. on Friday in the Chapel, prior to the funeral services. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, where military services will be conducted.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #50, 1633 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN 46628 or to the Veterans Association of the donor’s choice.

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

07/13/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68783570/william-joseph-hatfield