William M. "Matt" Hatfield, 45

William M. "Matt" Hatfield, age 45, of Lafayette, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2016 at his residence. He was born on November 17, 1970 in Bedford, Indiana to Douglas L. and Carol G. (Gregg) Hatfield.

He served in the United States Air force from 1989 to 1993 in Desert Storm. He was employed for Caterpillar for over twenty years. Matt was an old soul and very good artist. He loved all things aviation related and building and collecting models. Matt was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and enjoyed fishing in the UP of Michigan. He very much enjoyed his 1981 Buick. Matt loved watching science fiction movies and star trek.

Surviving along with his parents is his sister, Lara Hatfield (James "Jay" Wiedemhoeft) of Lafayette. He was preceded in death by his maternal grand parents, Chester and Josephine Gregg and paternal grand parents, George Dewey and Ruth Hatfield.

There will be no services at this time. Memorial contributions may be directed to any veterans charity of choice. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal & Courier on Nov. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for William Hatfield

Sponsored by Hippensteel Funeral Home, Inc..

13 Entries

November 17, 2016

So sorry to hear of Matts passing he was a great guy Saint Patrick's day will never be the same at cat without him dressing up as a leprechaun.

eva farrell

November 17, 2016

Dear Hatfield family, Carol.. I remember years ago your son called you at work, that's when you were downstairs being assistant to the sales managers. We sat next to each other during Matts Service Calls. Him and Lara's picture always on your desk and the love ya'll had I could see in your face when you spoke of them. It not right for a parent to have to bury a child. I do understand what you are going through. All we can do is be here for you, I love you Carol, I'm praying for you and your family.

Dan Wood

November 16, 2016

I'm very sorry for your loss. Matt was a great guy. I always enjoyed talking to him about his Pack and my Lions.

Anne Mecklenburg

November 16, 2016

Doug and Carol please accept my prayers and condolences to your family.

Linda Habbinga

November 16, 2016

So sorry for your loss.. I worked with Matt at Caterpillar. He was a great guy. Will be missed.

Billy Moore

November 16, 2016

So sorry for your loss prayers to your family.

Simon Manser

November 16, 2016

I was stationed at Hill AFB with Matt, and we were room mates in the Dorms for about 2 years. During that time, Matt and I went on road trips to anywhere, at any time, and we even went out on a couple double dates. He would so with me while I flew my RC planes, and I even for him into RC planes, although he never flew his Avistar plane for fear he would crash it.

I remember he owned an old Buck Skylark, which affectionately called Old girl. He took great care of that car, and even had it painted. He and I coined a phrase for the car, saying that it had an exceptional GAHD option included. We came up with that saying at 2 am one night, during our many middle of the night conversations from across our dorm room. GAHD simply meant, Gravity Assisted Hill Descent, because all old Buicks were so old and slow, they needed gravity assisted hill descent speed, to make it up the next hill. Lol
Matt and I were deployed to Dhahran in Saudi Arabia in 1992. This was Matt's second deployment to the Sand Box and my first. I remember one-night, we were all sitting around the common area in one of the Khobar Towers (the one that was blown up a couple years later). Matt had made a statement this little guy will kick your butt, to which we all laughed, and one way or another I found myself sitting on him on the couch. With not very much effort, Matt launched me into the air, and over the back of the couch, and I landed on the floor behind like a sack of potatoes. At this point everyone was laughing their butts off, because it was so funny to see a little guy launch someone my size over a couch. He showed me at that point, that despite his size, and looking so young back then, that he was no kid. He was a man, and he was a man that I looked up to.
I liked being in his life, however, life got in the way. Matt married a woman that I introduced, and insisted he asked out on a date, and then I met someone as well. Matt got out of the Air Force and moved back to Indiana, and I stayed in Utah, then went to Japan, and then Arizona. I eventually moved to Iowa 10 years ago, and will regret for the rest of my life, having lived so close, did not make it out to see Matt for the last 10 years. This will sadden me terribly for the rest of my life.

I will ALWAYS cherish the memories that Matt and I had. Remembering him making his Klingon Bird of Prey, building a diorama of his fathers jet from his service, and hanging out and watching Star Trek in his Studio apartment, every night.

I will miss you Matt. You were a Great MAN, and a best friend, and my heart will be forever broken.
Salute. Sir!

As Klingon would say Qapla'!

November 16, 2016

I was so sad to hear that Matt had passed away. He was my student at Tecumseh Jr. High many years ago, and was one of the nicest, most polite kids that I had the pleasure to teach. My deepest sympathy to your family.

Byron Erath

November 16, 2016

As an old friend from Lafayette, I was greatly saddened to hear of Matt's passing. He was a great friend and great man. Please accept my deepest condolences.

Rebecca Price

November 16, 2016

RIP Matt you was a wonderful guy, you will be missed

Kari Ades

November 16, 2016

Definitely will be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Sharron Burge

November 15, 2016

So sorry for your loss. Hatfield was a good guy. We will miss him at Caterpillar.

Hippensteel Funeral Home, Inc.

November 16, 2016

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.