ISHPEMING/GWINN, MI - William “Bill” Stephen Hatch Jr., of Ishpeming and Gwinn, passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 26, 2026, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans.

Bill was born May 16, 1934, in Ishpeming to Steve and Beulah Hatch. He grew up in Ishpeming and was a proud graduate of Ishpeming High School, Class of 1952. Bill made Ishpeming his home with his wife, Sandy, in 1959, where they raised their two daughters, Nadine and Brenda. After Sandy passed away in 1996, Bill met Nancy and, in 1999, they made their home in Gwinn, where they continued to build a life filled with family, friendship, travel, and countless adventures.

Bill proudly served in Korea in the US Army and remained connected to his fellow veterans throughout his life. He was a participant in the U.P. Honor Flight in 2019, an experience he was especially proud of. He worked 41 years at CCI as a welder, maintenance mechanic, and truck driver. He was also a proud member of the International Organization of Odd Fellows. 

Family was at the heart of Bill’s life. He will be deeply missed by his family and all those who knew him.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Nadine Hatch (Joe D'Ambrosio) of Gwinn and Brenda Berg of DeWitt, Michigan; Granddaughter, Lindsey (Travis) Clark and great granddaughter, Delaney Clark, of Holt, MI; and his sister, Betty Lund of Fremont, California. He is also survived by Nancy’s sons, Larry D’Ambrosio of Gwinn and Dale (Sue) D’Ambrosio of Waterford, Michigan. Bill also cherished the grandchildren he shared with Nancy: Amy D’Ambrosio, Joey (Shana) D’Ambrosio, JerryJoe D’Ambrosio, Alicia D’Ambrosio, Anthony D’Ambrosio, Aaron (Casey) D’Ambrosio, and David (Katie) D’Ambrosio, along with several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his in-laws, Roberta (Glenn) Sjoholm and Stan Anderson. “Uncle Billy” will be deeply missed by Carol (Raymond) Cardenas, Judy (Mitch) Hinman, Trish (David) Howes, Greg Tasson, Bridget Tasson, Steve (Pam) DeLorensi, Julie (Randy) Welch, Ryan (Amy) Sjoholm, and Cole Sjoholm. He held a special place in his heart for his cousins Jean (Jean) Dagesse, Jimmy Rosewall, and Sheila Richards. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Beulah Hatch; his wife, Sandy; his wife, Nancy; His Son-in-law, Scott Berg; Nancy’s son, Stephen D’Ambrosio; daughter-in-law, Darcy D’Ambrosio; his in-laws, Clive Lund, Bill and Myrle Pascoe, Sue and Gabby Tasson, and MaryLou and Fran DeLorensi, his nephew Shay Sjoholm, and cousins: Kippy Felt, Barbara Guizetti, and Jack Rosewall.

Bill was a man who never turned down an adventure. Whether it was hunting, fishing, camping, or camp, traveling, playing cribbage or simply spending time with family, he was always ready for whatever came next. And before any adventure could begin, there was usually one important question: “What’s the game plan?” 

Those who knew Bill will remember his stories, his sense of adventure, his love of the outdoors and most of all, the time he shared with the people he loved. 

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Noon at the Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming with Pastor Terri Branstrom officiating. Visitation will be held 10:00am – 12:00pm prior to the service. 

Interment will take place at Ishpeming Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Travis Clark, Amy D’Ambrosio, Joey D’Ambrosio, Glenn Sjoholm, Ryan Sjoholm and Mark Ketchem, Honorary Pallbearer's Cole Sjoholm and Jean Dagesse. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans or the U.P. Honor Flight, an organization Bill proudly supported and participated in on May 2019. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans for the many activities, kindness, friendship, and compassionate care they provided to Bill.

“Jesus said to him , ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’” John 11:25–26

A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends are invited to leave notes of remembrance.