William L. "Bill" Hatch

Champaign – William L. “Bill” Hatch, passed away at 12:31am on Friday, December 26, 2025 at Clark Lindsey Village in Urbana.

Bill was born on May 29, 1942, in Urbana, the son of Lawrence “Bud” and Ellen (Ainsworth) Hatch. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Lou Russell, on October 14, 1967.

In 1960 he graduated from Urbana High School where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. In 1964 he graduated from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, where he was named most valuable athlete his senior year. In 1967 he graduated from law school at the University of Illinois, was admitted to the Illinois Bar and began practice with Wheat, Hatch, and Corazza, now Hatch Law Firm.

He is survived by his wife: Nancy, and their three children: Amy, Russell (Demetra), and Andy (Laura), as well as seven grandchildren: Jenny, Lauren, Malarie, Haley, William, Tristan, and Ronan, and six great grandchildren: Kylie, Kyson, Laina, Zane, Caden, and Jonny. He is also survived by his sister: Anne (Mrs. Norman) Collins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana where he served as a Trustee and an Elder. He also served on the Board of McKinley Foundation. He was elected as a Pillar of the Bar of the Champaign County Bar Association and was also made ELK of the Year for Life.

In addition to being a lifelong athlete, Bill’s passion was traveling, and he loved taking Nancy on trips around the world. They also took the kids on many wonderful adventures, including every cross-country Amtrak train with family bedroom sleeper cars.

There will be a private family burial.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 3pm-5pm at the Champaign Country Club, 1211 South Prospect Avenue, Champaign.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, 602 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, The Champaign Park District, 706 Kenwood Road, Champaign, Illinois 61821, or a charity of your choice.

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