William McKinley Hatchett, Esq.
January 13, 1946 to February 12, 2023

Attorney William McKinley Hatchett, fondly known as Bill, Sonny Boy, and Skull, but most importantly as Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle and Friend, made his transition on February 12, 2023, after perfect completion of his earthly purpose. A skilled litigator, he became a member of the Michigan Bar in 1973, and thereafter was a fierce defender of the Bill of Rights and demander of equal protection under the law ensuring that no one was denied legal rights based on their status or group. Bill practiced law for the entirety of his 50 year career at the nationally known law firm of Hatchett DeWalt Hatchett in Pontiac, Michigan, focusing his practice on criminal defense, complex civil litigation, estate planning, workers compensation and immigration law. He was one of few lawyers to successfully practice multidistrict litigation in Federal Courts throughout the United States and was a member of the esteemed American College of Trial Lawyers.Attorney Hatchett was a friend to the friendless and champion for the voiceless. He was known for exposing lying police officers and racists judges in criminal cases, which resulted in an overnight stay for contempt on several occasions. Bill taught paralegal studies, trained generations of lawyers, including his daughters Attorney Bonita Hatchett-Bodle, Attorney Khari Ana Hatchett and cousin Attorney Yao Dinizulu, among others. Like most lawyers, he loved reading and was an ardent supporter of the arts. He was a scholar and a gentleman, but also enjoyed the Dozens.

Bill was the first black scholarship player at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (“UALR”), after starting his college basketball career at College of the Ozarks. While playing in the Ozarks, then-UALR Coach Cleve Branscum witnessed Bill’s 42-inch vertical jump which was impressive for a 6’3 guard/forward. In the book “Untold Stories: Black Sports Heroes Before Integration,” published by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, which featured Attorney Hatchett in addition to other notable athletic legends, Bill remarked that being the only black player on the team resulted in some “interesting times.” He recalled playing Delta State in Clarksville, Mississippi, where they had never had a black player in their fieldhouse, and they “sure let him know about it.” Bill, through his playing ability and scholarship opened doors for other black athletes. UALR recruited more black athletes after Attorney Hatchett’s second year on the team. As an early pioneer, he lived in the same apartment complex as Harlem Globetrotter Hubert “Geese” Ausbie and joined him for pickup games in MacArthur Park. He credited the opportunity to play with Geese and other greats with developing his game. Bill also credited his high school coach, Dr. Coffey, as having a significant role in his development as a basketball player. Dr. Coffey would remind him that “you have too much ability to not take advantage of it.” Bill also credits his success to Coach Turner, who was both a coach and mentor. Attorney Hatchett was known as a joker who enjoyed attention. He would dunk and hang on the rim during warm-ups, which angered the opposing crowd to his amusement. Bill had the ability to play professional basketball, but his father encouraged him to attend law school at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He went from becoming a basketball legend to a legendary lawyer. Attorney Hatchett’s UALR number was retired in January of 2012, at a ceremony hosted by UALR in which current basketball members also honored him, with other notable greats in attendance.

As a father, Attorney Hatchett demanded perfection and dedication in order to prepare his children for navigating life. He was also motivational and knew that with love and support his children could accomplish their hearts’ desires even though initially imperceptible. Krystal Faith Hatchett, his middle child, had a terrible singing voice as a child, but he encouraged her always complementing her “lovely” singing. Years later, and after voice lessons, Krystal became a recording artist and sought out vocalists and professional model. William McLaren Hatchett, his only son, is left-handed. Notwithstanding that perceived golf handicap, William became an excellent golfer with his father’s instruction. Attorney Bonita Hatchett-Bodle was also taught the game by her father, with great success. Bonita’s skills, and the golf etiquette demanded by her father, was icing on the cake as a large law firm corporate lawyer. Tameche Hatchett, his eldest daughter, became a talented gymnast with her father’s support, traveling and competing nationally. Bonita became a lawyer because of her father’s guidance, encouraging her to pursue large international law firm practice, which has historically been a challenge for lawyers of color. Bonita accomplished her dream and became the first black woman equity partner at a large Chicago law firm and first black woman lawyer to serve as General Counsel to two (2) national health industry companies. Attorney Khari Ana Hatchett, the baby, was groomed by her father to continue his law practice at Hatchett DeWalt Hatchett and is prepared to carry on his legacy. Bill educated and prepared his children for success.

Bill’s wife Celeste (nee Orse) was the love of his life, best friend, partner, confidant, and the occasional voice of reason (assuming he would listen). Together, they enjoyed travel, eating and preparing fine meals and consuming the best champagne. Attorney Hatchett and Celeste also loved to host wonderful events for their friends and family, a legacy that will be continued. The Motor City Dream Cruise was their large annual event where antique cars were showcased, guests played cards, Kevin Dysard served as the DJ playing the likes of Detroit’s own Aretha Franklin and, of course, the couple’s signature lamb chops were served. Great people attract great people. The couple was always surrounded by friends and family, including Celeste’s brother Carlton, her sister Camille and her husband, Attorney John David (JD), sharing meals, movie outings, shopping and fun. As Pawpaw, Bill enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren William the 3rd and Alynn, both of William’s children, and Krystal’s son Max. He was also great grandfather to William’s daughter Maeve Greer. Bill was extremely involved in his grandchildren’s lives and encouraged them to excel in their studies and in sports, which they have. Of late, Bill was involved in Max’s hockey career, visiting his games when in Houston, Texas, and continuing to encourage Max’s success in a sport with little ethnic diversity. Bill also encouraged William the 3rd to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot, another industry with little diversity. Being born in North Little Rock, Arkansas and spending his youth in rural Arkansas, he enjoyed fishing with Jeff and JD, watching the deer and cattle on Bonita’s and Jeff’s ranch in Texas, and playing with their dogs. He also enjoyed laughing at the incredible tricks that Khari trained her dogs and cats to perform. Attorney Hatchett was a fixture in the Michigan black professional community, with his best friends being physicians, educators and entrepreneurs. He, however, did not discriminate based on educational achievement nor economic success. Attorney Hatchett enjoyed the company of good people regardless of background, was a born again Christian and was kind to all.

He is survived by his children Tameche, Bonita (Jeffrey L. Bodle), Krystal (Karl Robert Naumann), William and Khari, stepson Joe (Celeste), grandchildren Alynn, William the 3rd, Max (Krystal) and great granddaughter, Maeve Greer, step-granddaughter Kennedy (Joey), in addition to his sisters Dr. Minnie Rose Hatchett, Elsie Hatchett, Gwendolyn Hatchett-Robinson, brothers Frank Hatchett, Jr., and Theodore Hatchett, in addition to hosts of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family. Attorney Hatchett’s parents Frank and Elsie Hatchett preceded him in death, in addition to sisters Franky Lee Ray, Linda Creggitt, Catherine Ford and Florence Rollins and nephew Derrick Grays (on February 10, 2023).

Bill will be sorely missed by all, but we endeavor to keep his spirit alive by continuing his commitment to social justice and embracing others.

Rest in Eternal Peace♥Job Well Done!
© 2023 Bonita L. Hatchett-Bodle, Esq.

BIRTH

January 13, 1946

DEATH

February 12, 2023

PARENTS

Frank Hatchett, Sr. and Elsie Hatchett

SIBLINGS

Dr. Minnie Rose Hatchett

Elsie Hatchett

Gwendolyn Hatchett-Robinson

Frank Hatchett, Jr.

Theodore Hatchett

Franky Lee Ray (deceased)

Linda Creggitt (deceased)

Catherine Ford (deceased)

Florence Rollins (deceased)

SPOUSE

Celeste Hatchett (nee Orse; spouse at death)

Bonnie Faye Hatchett (nee Blackman; divorced prior to her 2022 death; mother of natural born children).

CHILDREN

Tameche L. Hatchett

Bonita L. Hatchett-Bodle, Esq. (Jeffrey L. Bodle)

Krystal F. Hatchett (Karl Robert Naumann)

William M. Hatchett

Khari A Hatchett, Esq.

Joe Worford (Celeste).

GRANDCHILDREN

Alynn Hatchett (William)

William Hatchett, Jr. (William)

Max McLaren Jacobs (Krystal)

Maeve Greer (great; William)

Kennedy Worford (step; Joe).

College of the Ozark
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, B.A. 1969
Wayne State University Law School, J.D., 1973