Rev. Msgr. Bill Hatcher, St. James Pastor Emeritus, Dies at 70

The following information was provided by Bradley & Sons Funeral Homes, LLC:

Rev. Msgr. William C. Hatcher, 70, of Roseland, passed away on Tuesday at Villa Marie Claire in Saddle River. 

Born in Jersey City, he was a graduate of Holy Family High School, Union City, and Seton Hall University, South Orange, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classical Languages. Msgr. Hatcher then attended Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Theology. He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in the Archdiocese of Newark on May 29, 1971, by the Most Reverend Thomas A. Boland.

Msgr. Hatcher was assigned as a Parochial Vicar to St. Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Bayonne, and our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Oakland. He later was appointed administrator at St. Lucy's Church, Jersey City; and Pastor at St. Stephen Parish, Kearny; St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Bloomfield; and St. James the Apostle Parish, Springfield. Msgr. was designated Pastor Emeritus at St. James the Apostle Parish on July 1, 2013.

Msgr. Hatcher served the Archdiocese of Newark in several other roles including being a member of the Archdiocesan Senate of Priests, the Synod Planning Committee, the Presbyteral Council, the Priest Personnel Policy Board and the Board of Consultors.

Msgr. Hatcher is survived by his loving sisters, Lois Krummenacker (Albert), Doris White (Joseph), Marjorie Hanratty (the late William V.) and Rosemary Bennetts (Paul); and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his dear parents, Florence (nee Donovan) and William Hatcher.

The funeral will be conducted by Bayonne Memorial Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend John J. Meyers, Archbishop of Newark, on Saturday at 10:30 am at St. James the Apostle Church, Springfield, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.  

Visitation will be held at the Bradley, Smith & Smith Funeral Home, 415 Morris Ave., Springfield on Thursday from 4-8 pm. Visitation will also take place on Friday at St. James the Apostle Church, 45 S. Springfield Ave., Springfield from 2-7 pm. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, following Friday evening's visiting hours.

At Tuesday evening's Township Committee meeting, Committeeman Ziad Andrew Shehady expressed his condolences to the St. James parish family.