Halbert Hatch, 101, of Bellevue, Idaho, left us to join his loving wife (Inez) of 75 years on Monday, Aug. 3.
He was born in Licking, Missouri, on Nov. 30, 1907. At 17, he came to stay with his brother in Jerome, Idaho. He met Inez Wyckoff, and they were married June 9, 1927, moving to Stanton Crossing, where they lived for one year before moving to California. While in California, he worked in the oil fields for two years before returning to the Wood River Valley in 1930 and leasing the Hill Side Ranch near Timmerman.
The first ranch he purchased was in 1938 on Baseline, and they stayed there until 1946 when they moved to Bellevue, where he ran the Bellevue Hardware store for several years. He also worked in the Triumph Mine, the sawmill below Bellevue, and he was the maintenance man at the Hailey Hospital from 1960 to 1972, from which he retired—well semi-retired. He then worked on the River Run ski lifts taking tickets. He was a Bellevue city councilman and served one term as mayor of Bellevue. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and the Odd Fellows and Rebecca lodges. He was Grand Master of the Odd Fellows lodge for the state of Idaho.
Halbert loved to trap shoot. He and Inez also enjoyed dancing, going to square dances at the Grange Hall in Hailey, where he would even do some of the calling when needed. Halbert and Inez spent many wonderful winters in Yuma, Arizona, where they made many friends. They lived in Bellevue until 2000 when they moved to Bridgeview Estates. He was a loving and wonderful father and grandfather, and will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Inez; two sons, Gene and Max; and one great granddaughter, Alexis. He is survived by his son, Robert Hatch (Lydella), his daughter, Faye Barker (Pat), 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
For service information, guest book, and photos, visit www.woodriverchapel.com.
