Obituary: Bette Jane Greenley Hatton (Oct. 16, 1926 – Jan. 6, 2012)

Bette Jane Greenley Hatton passed quietly from this world on Friday, January 6, 2012, in Willits.

She was born October 16, 1926, in Casper, Wyoming, to Ansel Ray Greenley and Mary Jane Maddux Greenley.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Robert Greenley and sister Lela Jones; husband Ernest Glen Hatton; grandchildren Myles Glenn Hatton, Jennifer Satin Ford and Joshua Kelly Ford.

She is survived by her children, Debbie Kay Clark and husband Charles A. Clark, and David Glenn Hatton, all of Willits, and Donald Paul Hatton of Ukiah; brothers William Greenley (Marilyn) of Oregon and Everett Greenley (Mary) of California; grandsons Tyler and Kaili Clark of Playa del Rey, Logan Clark and Paula Abajian of Willits; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Bette and her family moved from her birthplace in Wyoming to Oregon when she was just a small girl. In Oregon, Bette attended Laurelwood Academy in Gaston while working in the Mello Maid Creamery to pay for tuition. 

After graduation in 1946, she moved to Lake County, where she discovered the joy of swimming in Blue Lake. Bette also found her lifelong passion of care-giving when she began working for Dr. Glenn Miller.

She later moved to Ukiah to live with the Branson family and worked at the Savings Bank of Mendocino County. In Ukiah she met a great-looking guy driving a beautiful blue Chevy convertible, Ernie Hatton, a cat skinner and fireman. They were married in 1950 and began a family.

Bette and Ernie had three children and a host of friends. Bette was a proud homemaker and fireman’s wife, active in the Ukiah Fire Belles.

Bette worked as a waitress at both the House of Garner and the Rendezvous, where her customers nicknamed her “Sunshine.” She also worked in the dental office of Dr. Donald Gilmer.

Hunting, fishing and gardening was always a huge part of the Hatton family life. Ernie and Bette also ran a hunting club on the Phillips Land and Cattle Ranch for over a decade. Bette and her children would live at the camp during many hunting seasons during this period while Ernie commuted to the firehouse.

After leaving the fire service, the family moved from Ukiah to work full time at the ranch.

In 1979, the couple bought a trailer and decided to travel widely, roaming the West Coast to follow the best fishing. The couple eventually began spending summers fishing on the Klamath River and winters on the Smith River near Crescent City. It was during this period that Bette began volunteering as a Pink Lady at Sutter Coast Hospital and at the social services office.

After Ernie’s death in 1994, she remained in the Smith River area in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and continued her volunteer work until moving to Willits in 2001.

Her children were very happy to have her close by, and she kept busy volunteering at the William F. Harrah Senior Center. Throughout her life she maintained her spunk and sense of humor. To many youngsters she was known as Grandma Feisty.

Bette always looked to the bright side of life. She was happiest when helping others.

At her request, there will be no services. Donations may be made to the William F. Harrah Senior Center.

Remembrances can be posted on willitsnews.com

— Submitted by Family