Bill Hatfield: The Next Chapter

Bill and Cheryl Hatfield photo by Fred Salley

Retirement, while greatly awaited, doesn’t come easy when you love your job as much as Bill Hatfield has. Bill served as an attorney for nearly 43 years and enjoyed every minute of it. He was grateful to work beside and be mentored by some of the greatest, and his coworkers throughout his career were friends that he considered family. Bill was born and raised in Florence, South Carolina, making his allegiance to the area deep-felt. His father was in WWII and was briefly stationed at Gilbert Field in Florence when he met Bill’s mother. His parents chose to stay in Florence to raise their family. Bill graduated from McClenaghan High School, Class of 1969, and continued his education at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, and obtained his law degree at the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1977. He came back to his hometown of Florence to begin practicing law at Hyman, Morgan & Brown in January of 1978. “After an interview with Pete Hyman, a partner at the firm, he told me to ‘Hang around and make yourself useful,’” Bill shared. “I worked almost two months before asking if I would be paid. Pete offered $200 a week, I was ecstatic!” And just like that, Bill's law career began. The name of the firm has changed over the years with attorneys coming and going, however, Bill remained with the same law office until retirement. Bill exclaims, “I was trained by the best trial lawyers in the state!” Reggie Brown, another law partner within the firm, was his mentor and became a dear friend. “At first, Reggie told me he didn’t like me and he was going to get rid of me. Within a year of that statement, he was in my wedding and we were inseparable.” While actively practicing, Bill became a boardcertified civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Boston and was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates. Soon after, in 1989, Hood Temple was hired by the practice. The two became quick friends. “Hood and I tried many significant cases together. The most memorable was our first in 1992. An elected Florence County official owned a mobile home park near Francis Marion University. Complaints about a faulty air conditioner were ignored, a trailer fire ensued, and a child died while the mother was injured. Hood proved to me early on that he was partnership material with his participation in that case which ended favorably for our client.”

The work atmosphere this team created is familyoriented. “I don’t know of any other law firm like ours,” Bill describes. “It was a business but we cared about each other and our staff. We all spent time together after work and were all the best of friends.” Reggie passed away in December of 2009 and Van Jeffords and Jim Rushton, fellow attorneys, retired shortly after. This is when Hyman Law Firm transitioned to Hatfield Temple. “The work atmosphere remained the same. Hood and I became even closer; he is my best friend and I love him! To this day, even after my retirement, we talk or text every day.” While many of us know Bill or have seen the billboards across town labeled Hatfield Temple with the recognizable T and H letters that overlap in their logo, we aren’t aware of how he has invested in our community. “I have always loved animals,” explains Bill. “My wife, Cheryl, and I have seven pups – Chloe, Lucy, Ricky, Layla, Butter, Gavin, and Player – five of them are rescues.” Ricky, a puppy that was hit by a car and suffered a broken leg, was Bill’s first rescue. “Hood and I were having lunch when a friend stopped at our table and mentioned an injured dachshund puppy was up for adoption at the Darlington County Humane Society (DCHS). Chloe and Lucy are ‘doxies’ so I decided to check it out.” Bill immediately realized Ricky wasn’t a doxie, however, he felt a personal obligation to see Ricky have a more fulfilling life. And as Bill says… “The rest is history.” Before long, Bill was asked to be on the Darlington County Humane Society board where he assisted in raising funds for a new shelter. During this time, Bill considered an additional way he could encourage others to adopt from the shelter. He established a Secret Santa program where he incurs all of the cost of pet adoption fees during November and December. Bill has continued this tradition for several years now and even extended it to the end of January of 2022 this season. Bill has spent his career and personal life attempting to enhance the lives of those around him. His character speaks for itself. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet Bill, you're immediately greeted with an inviting smile and a pleasantly spoken hello. However, Bill says he owes his success and his kind nature to his parents, Bill and Johnnie Hatfield. “They grew up in the great depression and had very difficult lives. They sacrificed so their children could have opportunities they never had.” Bill is also blessed with two wonderful children, Patrick and Courtney, who have also contributed to making him a better person. Since retirement, Bill has slowly learned how to relax. "Although that is easier said than done after years of going full speed ahead,” he says. He and Cheryl are enjoying their time together. They have had the opportunity to travel to Europe to see two Formula 1 races in Monaco and Milan and have been able to explore new adventures on cruises. Bill describes his years as blessed beyond belief. He shares, "I have worked alongside brilliant lawyers who were my best friends, a staff that made me better and whom I loved dearly, loyal and good clients who allowed me to help them in times of need, and a family that always supported and loved me. I am one lucky fellow!” During this season of giving, consider a gift that will brighten a child's face for many years to come – a pet from your local humane society. It is the perfect gift that comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors, is furry and friendly, and is referred to as man's best friend for a very good reason. If adoption isn't something you're comfortable with, consider a monetary or supply donation. And remember, if you're adopting a pet from Darlington County Humane Society this season, adoption fees are taken care of by a very special Secret Santa!

Darlington County Humane Society FREE ADOPTION through January 31, 2022!

www.htlawsc.com 177 W. Evans Street, Florence