Paul Bennett Hatcher, Jr. (Bud) 82, of Valdosta, died Sunday March 15, 2026, surrounded by his daughters. Born in Valdosta to the late Paul B. Hatcher, Sr. and Martha Sherman Hatcher on June 14, 1943, he was a lifelong resident of Valdosta. Bud attended Valdosta City Schools and graduated from Valdosta High School in 1961. He played football for Wright Bazemore during his high school years and was a life-long Wildcat serving as a member of the Wildcat Touchdown booster club where he served as President for two consecutive terms. In addition to the booster club, Bud helped organize the annual Wildcat reunion that is now in its 80th year. He was the longest standing attendee of this event until his death. After briefly attending Valdosta State College, he went to work for the family business, Valdosta Iron Company. In 1988 he joined Langdale Ford Company as a salesman and worked his way up to Finance Manager retiring in 2010 after a twenty two year career. Outside of work, he loved to bass fish at Octahatchee, Suwanee, Lake Seminole, and Lake Eufaula.

Survivors include his six children, Michele Mitchell of Valdosta, Dana Jack of Valdosta, Todd (& Jennifer) Hatcher of Marietta, Paul (& Christy) Hatcher of Lake Park, Josie (& John) Olszewski of Valdosta, and Honey (& Mark) Coppage of Valdosta; nine grandchildren, Michael Mitchell, Courtney Holley, Sarah Massey, Tyler Coppage, Davis Hatcher, Caroline Hatcher, Kaitlyn Stone, Bennett Hatcher, and Carson Hatcher; and his girlfriend for the last 37 years Ms. Nancy Crombie. Also surviving are four great grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law Tommy and Frances Hatcher of Valdosta, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Martha Hatcher, brother Rusty Hatcher, and sister Brenda Shelley.

Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Friday March 20, 2026, in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home. The burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5 until 7 pm on Thursday March 19, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum, Donate to the Lowndes County Historical Society & Museum

Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of Carson McLane Funeral Home