First SGT. Joe Hatchel

Funeral services for Retired First Sgt. Joe Hatchel, 59, of Sycamore, GA will be held, Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 11:00 AM in The Bethel Baptist Church in Turner County, GA. Sgt. Hatchel passed away at his residence Wednesday at his residence. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The son of the late J. W and Mary Glaydes Stringfield Hatchel, he was born in Madisonville, KY. He was a member of The Bethel Baptist Church, where he was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and served as church usher.

Sgt. Hatchel faithfully served his country, retiring from the U.S. Army and was presently serving as Instructor for the JROTC for Worth County High School in Sylvester. During his military service, he was awarded the Army Lapel Button, Bronze Star Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, seven Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge and Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa H. Hatchel and his daughter Angela Hatchel both of Sycamore, GA; his brothers, Robert Hatchel of Germany and James Hatchel of Warner Robins, GA.

The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM until the hour of service at the church.