Thomas Hatton

HATTON, THOMAS W. Saginaw, Michigan Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully late Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family. Age 88 years. He was born January 13, 1924, in Saginaw, the son of the late Millicent "Annie" (Williams) and John Hatton, Sr. He graduated from Arthur Hill Technical School. He served with the US Army, 9th Infantry Division, during World War II, serving in the European African Middle Eastern Theater. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal (9th Infantry Division), one Silver and three Bronze Battle Stars, and four overseas service bars. He was also awarded the Couer de la Guerre and the Medal of Honor by the French Government. He had been a firefighter with the City of Saginaw Fire Department for 35 years, retiring as Lieutenant. He was a 50 year member of Grace Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder and Trustee. He later was a member of Second Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the 9th Infantry Division, serving as Past National President, and also serving as Michigan President. He was a life-member of VFW Post #1566. He loved being with his family, spending time at his cabin up north, fishing and hunting, and traveling. He married Geraldine R. Arndt on May 10, 1947; she predeceased him January 13, 1999. Surviving are two daughters, one son and their spouses, Susan and Kenneth Williams, Freeland; Bill and Janice Hatton, and Carol and John Greenough, all of Saginaw; eight grandchildren, Matthew (Barbara) Williams, Laura (Derek) Barnes, Sarah (John) Dorr, Becky (Don) Zinz, Christina (Randy) Lorenzo, Nathan Hatton, Jamieson Greenough, and Elizabeth Greenough; ten great grandchildren, Lauren and Charles Williams, Emmalie and Ethan Dorr, Brenden and Nicklas Barnes, Meredith and John Zinz, and Maxwell and Charlotte Lorenzo; one brother, John "Jack" (Leone) Hatton, Jr.; many nieces, nephews and their families. Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by four sisters, Florence (Hatton) Keyser, Deborah Hatton, Annie May (Hatton) Butzin, and Jane Hatton. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 13, 2012, at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Road, where his family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, and then on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. James Neumann will officiate, with military burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, under the auspices of VFW Post #1566. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Michigan's Own Military and Space Museum, Frankenmuth, the Hospice of Hope, Frankenmuth, or a charity of their choice. www.casefuneralhome.com