Wilbur Stauch "Will" Hattendorf Sr., in his hundredth year, died on 9 September 2015. He loved every day and all it brought over a long and productive life and career. He enjoyed every job and volunteer activity he ever had and would gladly to do it all over again. Even in retirement, there were never enough hours to accomplish all the things he wanted to do. He was the consummate gentleman, who never failed to go the extra mile for his friends.
Will was born on 3 May 1916 in Wheaton, IL (suburb of Chicago) to Pauline Stauch and Laurence Hattendorf. His mother was the principal of his grade school and his father was the county sheriff (during prohibition years), and the combination, he said, "did tend to keep me in line."
He was an alumnus of North Central College and the University of Illinois, where he joined Chi Psi Fraternity, an affiliation he later shared with his son and a grandson. After college he worked for Sears Roebuck and quickly rose to assistant manager of a suburban store. In early spring of 1941, with the realization of likely U.S. involvement in the war in Europe, he and his brother, Rich, were accepted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. On completion of training and earning their wings, they joined a P-38 Lockheed Lightning Fighter Group on the west coast. In late summer of 1942, just four weeks after marrying his long-time sweetheart, Elizabeth Wernle, the "Flying Hattendorf Brothers" and their 82nd Fighter Group headed for action in Ireland, England, Africa, and Italy. After completing an eventful 51 combat missions with several victories, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters, and other awards. When he rotated back to the states, he was promoted to Captain and became base operations officer at the Santa Rosa Army Air Base in California until 1946.
Will and Betty returned to the Midwest in 1947, where he began a 23-year career in the building stone business, both in the Chicago area and then as Vice President of the Georgia Marble Company. In 1971, he began a new career with the U.S. Department of Commerce where he rose to Southeast Regional Director for the Economic Development Administration.
During his four decades of service with the Cherokee Hospital Authority, he served as board member and secretary. Following the hospital's transition to Northside Hospital-Cherokee, he remained on the board of the Hospital Authority of Cherokee County until his death, and he had served as its chairman. In addition, he was still an active commissioner of the Housing Authority of Canton.
He was a member of the American Legion, V.F.W., Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, and Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, he was president and board member of the National Building Stone Institute, a trustee and former choir member of the Canton First United Methodist Church, and president of the Canton Men's Golf Association. For many years he was a member of the Canton Tree City Commission. He served as president of the 82nd Fighter Group Association, attending their reunions every year. Upon learning of his death, the group hailed him as the statesman and conscience for the Association. He was the oldest active member of the Georgia Senior Golfers Association and the oldest member of Canton First United Methodist Church, where he was a devoted fundraiser and participant in its annual FUMC golf tournament.
Devotion to his family was always top on his list, followed closely by his interest in travel, golf, and gardening. He loved to sing, and his repertoire was inexhaustible. He was a frequent blue ribbon winner at the county fair for his figs, jam, flowers, and chocolate angel food cakes.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Elizabeth (Betty). He is survived by his son, Bill Hattendorf (Sheila), of Gill, MA and Swanzey, NH, daughter, Delia Hattendorf Fine (Bill) of Stamford, CT, grandchildren Michael (Stephanie), Wesley (McKenzie), Elizabeth (Luke), Kelsey (Michael), and Spencer; and great grandchildren Hailey and William.
Visiting hours will be held Monday 14 September from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Darby Funeral Home, 480 East Main Street, Canton, Georgia. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Canton at noon on Tuesday 15 September 2015, with internment at the Georgia National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations might be made to the FUMC golf tournament and the family fund it supports, 930 Lower Scott Mill Road, or the RT Jones Memorial Library, 118 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton.