Gordon William Hatfield

Gordon William “Bill” Hatfield, age 81, of Elizabeth, IL passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023 at Midwest Medical Center. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 pm on Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth, IL; and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, IL. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Derinda. Any memorial funds may be given to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Bill was born on February 25th, 1942, the son of C.J. Gordon Hatfield and Geraldine L. (Kuhns) Hatfield. He graduated from Elizabeth High School with the class of 1960, then began his beloved career as a full-time farmer and part-time employment at Jo Daviess County Highway Department. He continued farming and helping others with their farming until he went to his heavenly home. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Mae Ann (Groezinger) Hatfield, on January 21st, 1962. They spent over 61 blessed years together and had four children that they raised on the family farm. Bill shared great pride in his community and was involved in many roles. He was a member of the Elizabeth School Board, AVC Board - Elizabeth, Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau, Jo Carroll Holstein Board, and DHIA. Bill was a man of faith that invested in his church, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, through leadership and membership roles. He attended church with Mae Ann every Sunday (as farming allowed) and shared his strong faith with many others, including his children and grandchildren.

Bill had an infectious laugh and smile that always brought everyone else in the room joy and happiness. As a pillar of his family and community, he brought comfort, faith, and stability to any difficult moments in life. If anyone had a question about farming (or anything), he always had an answer or solution that could solve it. He enjoyed playing baseball in high school and when he was a child. In his spare time, he especially enjoyed playing Euchre with friends and family. He was the friendliest person with anyone around him, would give anything to help another person in need, and worked hard every day of his life. He was and is cherished by his family, friends, community, and many more.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, C.J. Gordon and Geraldine Hatfield; brother, Robert B. Hatfield; parents-in-law, Ralph and Lillian Groezinger; sister-in-law, Norma Groezinger; and grandsons, Damien Grube and Wyatt Potter. He now shares his heavenly home with each and every one of them.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mae Ann (Groezinger) Hatfield; children, Debra (Paul) Girot, of Elizabeth, Dennis (Rebecca) Hatfield, of Elizabeth, Bradley Hatfield, of Stockton, and Brenda (Jeff) Potter, of Hanover; grandchildren, Victoria (Keith) Girot, Valerie (Mason) Girot, Neil Girot, Nick (Claire) Girot, Tiffany (David) Hatfield, Brianne (Cory) Arthofer, Justin (Emily) Hatfield, Kimberly (Chris) Hatfield, Patrick Hatfield, Dillon Hatfield, Jennifer (Jeremiah) Hermann, and Cassidy (Dylan) Potter; great-grandchildren, Hope Mulholland, Hunter Mulholland, Harper Pfile, Dakota Pfile, Crew Pfile, Zoey Pfile, Bryce and Melody Grube, Margaret Hatfield, and Clara Hatfield; sisters, Sharon Hatfield and Sunny (Dave) Hughes; brothers, Gerald Bud” (Barbara) Hatfield and Richard “Dick” (Mary) Hatfield; brother- in-laws, Allen (Pauline) Groezinger and Richard (Monica) Groezinger; sister-in-law, Joyce (Keith) Morhardt; and many nieces and nephews; and many other loved ones.