William R. Hatton, 85

William (Bill) Roger Hatton, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 15, 2013, in Kalispell, Mont., surrounded by his family.

Bill was born on Feb. 29, 1928, in Hinsdale, Mont., to Thoralf and Hazel Hatton.

Bill lived in Hinsdale, Wheeler, and Glasgow, Mont., during his growing up years. He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1946.

After high school he joined the U.S. Army and served 16 months as a truck master during the Korean War. Upon returning home from the war, he attended college in Dillon, Mont.

During the summers, he worked as a smokejumper in the Missoula area.

He enjoyed working as a logger in Montana and Alaska.

In 1967, he married JoAnn Ryder Jones and took on the role of father to her three children, Mike, Dave and Pam, who he loved as his own.

Bill and JoAnn had three more daughters, Diane, Julie, and Vicky.

In 1971, Bill moved his family to Coeur d’Alene, and started the Roto-Rooter Drain cleaning franchise.

He grew his business to be very successful through his hard work and integrity.

Bill sold the Roto-Rooter franchise in 1986 and moved back to Kalispell and purchased the Roto-Rooter business there, and he ran that business for a few years before retiring.

Bill and JoAnn moved to Valier, Mont., for a few years then to Conrad, Mont., for a couple years, then finally settling back in Kalispell in 2008.

Bill will be remembered for his friendship, gentle sense of humor, his vegetable gardens that he took great pride in, his strong work ethic and devotion to his family. He taught his children to make the most of whatever life brought their way.

Bill leaves behind JoAnn, his faithful and loving wife of 46 years; children Mike (Susan) Jones, of Hawaii, David (Tami) Jones, of Post Falls, Pam (Billy) Ridenour, of Kalispell, Diane (Mark) Nowoj, of Coeur d’Alene, Julie (Brett) Gibney, of Great Falls, Vicky (Hans) Tronstad, of Kalispell.

He also leaves behind his sisters Norma Lynch and Marilyn Maxness, both of Glasgow; several grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Peggy, and brother, Robert (Bob) Hatton.

A memorial will be held at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell, at 2 p.m. Saturday March 23, 2013.