Obituaries

James Hatfield

Photo of James Hatfield
James Hatfield, age 82, of Fayetteville, born December 15, 1938, in Fayetteville, Ark., to Herbert and Maxine Liles Hatfield took the scenic road out of this life Friday, June 11, 2021, from a life of adventure and pleasure. He was born in City Hospital on South School Ave, and was a member of the neighborhood Turtle Club at Washington Elementary School. In second grade, he got rheumatic fever and missed seven months of school, forcing him to join the class behind his. He developed life-long friends from both classes. He also routinely got into trouble for whistling at the girls. He and Paul Young bleached their hair orange after a clown came to town. His family got their first TV when Jim was 13, so they could watch Queen Elizabeth's Coronation. In February of 1962, he married Margaret (Marty) Smith (Goff-Burggraf), and they had two daughters. Jim was in the Army from 1961-63, stationed in Germany where he contracted TB. He was quarantined in December of 1963, the same day his daughter, Kelley, was born, receiving an honorable discharge. His family owned the Pontiac and Cadillac Dealerships, and once he could drive, he would drag race the new cars against other souped-up cars, and sometimes won. His very favorite was a ‘57 Cadillac. He sold the dealership in 1983. He opened an Avanti and Lotus dealership for a few years after that, and then officially retired but had an occasional used car to sell. Later, he held a perpetual "estate sale" out of the old dealership on Meadow, then again on College at Spring Street. Around the same time, he started a limousine business. He loved chauffeuring for weddings and parties, and also drove various celebrities to WalMart's home office – always getting signatures and photos, whenever possible. In 1993 he married Suzie Stephens. In late 90s, they opened a restaurant where he became Chief Greeter, entertaining the guests in his own style. Jim and Suzie loved traveling. When all was said and done, he had traveled to 52 countries including China. He even went to Antarctica. Rome was his favorite city. He was a lifelong supporter of the Razorbacks. He and Suzie created a scholarship, supporting the Lady Razorback Golf Team in the name of Suzie's late sister. Many of the ladies who had been through the program are now professionals. He followed their careers closely. In the last few years, he re-opened his perpetual "estate" sale at his home, annoying some of his neighbors, while endearing himself to others. Over the last five months, he spent much of his time in the VA's ICU, where he entertained the nurses and staff up until his last few days when he became uncharacteristically quiet. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Maxine Liles Hatfield of Fayetteville; his sister, Martha (Sue) Hatfield Carter; his eldest daughter, Donnita Carney McDonnell; his granddaughter, Crystal McDonnell. He is survived by his daughters, Kelley Wilks (husband, Vince Blunn) of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Sonya Stout, (husband, Mark Zweig) of Fayetteville; honorary daughter, Nancy Workman Ballard; granddaughters, Sophie Stout and Darcy McConnell; and niece, Terri Carter Waltz (husband Bob); nephew, Matt Carter (wife Tanya); and one great grandson, Sylis McConnell. Honorable Pallbearers are Morgan Stout, Brian Crowne, Dash Goff, Paul Young, Hayden McIlroy, Lyndal Brown, Lynn Wayde and Jim Bexley. Memorial will be held Monday at 4 p.m., at Mt. Comfort Church in Fayetteville, with a gathering afterward at the Mount Comfort School. Donations can be made to the Mount Comfort Presbyterian Church or to the U of A women's Golf "Patty David Memorial Golf Scholarship – For the Love of Golf Scholarship" because both were extremely important to him. Services are at the Mount Comfort Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m., on Monday June 14. Munchies and memories to follow next door. Online condolences www.WestfieldChapel.com.

Published June 13, 2021

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