Anderson Eugene Gene Hatfield
Rank: Capt
Entered Into Eternal Rest
2026-08-30
Anderson Eugene (Gene) Hatfield, III, a man of extraordinary courage, sharp intellect and quiet dedication to God, family and country, completed his final flight on August 30, 2026, after a long illness with his family by his side. He was born October 6, 1943, in Williamson, WV to Anderson Eugene Hatfield, II and Bethel Varney Hatfield.
He graduated from Williamson High School in 1961 and was elected Senior Class President. He was inducted into the Williamson High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003, having earned the honors and being a part of the All State Second Team Football, All Area Baseball, All Area Second Team Football, AA WV State Championship Football, American Legion Baseball State Championship.
After graduating from high school, he received a Congressional appointment to the United States Air Force Academy where he received his BS degree in 1965 as a member of the seventh graduating class.
Gene cherished growing up in the hills of West Virginia with some of his fondest childhood memories being walks in the mountains, sucking on wild honeysuckle, eating beechnuts and playing sock ball. As a young boy, his love for baseball, and his father’s employment with the railroad, afforded him the opportunity to take the train to Cincinnati to watch the Reds play, frequently on his own, but always under the watchful eyes of fellow railroaders who worked with his father. His first job was selling newspapers on the streets of downtown Williamson, and he later worked in the family business, Hatfield’s Sporting Goods, where he was taught the value of caring for those less fortunate by delivering Christmas gifts to needy families on Christmas Eve.
Gene’s journey of service began at the United States Air Force Academy, where he was a member of Cadet Squadron 11. Upon commissioning, he entered the elite Air Force Pathfinder/Combat Control Team (CCT) community, beginning his assignment at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. As a Combat Controller and Master Parachutist, Gene specialized in the vital and hazardous duties of visual guidance, weather reporting and forward air control in operational zones. He developed an improved lighting system for the purpose of tactical airlift drop zones.
In 1968, Gene deployed to Vietnam with the 834th Airlift Division. His unit, which underwent designations as the 315th Air Commando Wing and the 315th Special Operations Wing, performed critical operations in highly hostile environments. Gene served 16 months in theater, physically embedding into remote locations and villages to provide essential forward air guidance for allied forces across Vietnam and other countries. For his exceptional courage, leadership and meritorious service under fire, he was decorated with two Bronze Star Medals—one with the Combat "V" Device for Valor—the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. His division's collective actions also earned two Presidential Unit Citations, an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V", and citations from the Government of the Republic of Vietnam.
Ever ambitious, Gene successfully took the LSAT at Khe Sanh while still deployed in the combat zone. Following his honorable separation from the military as a Captain, he transitioned to civilian life to pursue his passion for the law, attending law school at the University of Florida and embarking on a successful second career.
Upon receiving his Juris Doctor in 1972, he was made a partner in the law firm Canto, Salter, Roy and Hatfield and was eternally grateful to James D. Salter for providing him his first opportunity to commence his legal career. In 1974 he began his private practice and had a successful career for over 54 years. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Florida, U. S. District Courts of Florida, Middle and Northern Districts, U. S. Court of Appeals – 5th and 11th Circuits. He was a general practitioner, a fierce litigator and with an open-door policy, always accessible to those in need or just to chat.
He loved listening to opera, reading, playing Russian Solitaire, Mexican Train and throwing the occasional dice at the craps table. His greatest achievement was moving his family from Gainesville to the lake community, Keystone Heights, Florida, in 1977 where his children grew up in a similar setting as his childhood with small-town values, developing lifetime friendships with extraordinary people, teaching his children how to water ski, boating, fishing, following their sports endeavors and becoming successful adults. Known as Pa Hat to his children’s friends, they were always welcome at Hatfield House for any thing any time.
He is survived by his loving wife, Michelle Eskew Hatfield, and was blessed with 52 years together as his legal assistant and best friend; son, Anthony Hatfield (Jennyfer), Inverness, FL; daughter, April Hatfield (Matt), Alachua, FL; daughter, Hillary Hatfield, Keystone Heights, FL; grandchildren, Carrington, Tristan, Beckett and Scout; siblings, David (Kay) Hatfield, Columbia, SC; Linda VanMeter and Victoria Rowe, Williamson, WV, and loving nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Cecil and Gail Hatfield; brother-in-law, Doyle VanMeter; niece, Sonya Hatfield-Hall.
At his request, there will be no services. He was a humble man, never wanting recognition or praise for a job well done. He will be greatly missed, never forgotten and leaves behind a legacy of bravery, intellect, and profound dedication to God, family and country.
Posted online on September 09, 2026
Published in Gainesville Sun
