Joe Bill Hackler's Obituary
Joe Bill Hackler, 95, of Fayetteville, AR, passed away Monday, January 14, 2013 in Fayetteville. He was born February 21, 1917, to Dr. Chrisley Hackler and Ella May (Denton) Hackler. He was married to Beatrice Eloise (Martin) Hackler, who passed away in 1998.
He was the former owner of Hackler Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in Rogers, and was an active member of the Methodist Church.
He is survived by two sons, Dr. Chris Hackler and his wife Sue Stroock of Little Rock , and Tim Hackler of Fayetteville, a grandson, Benjamin Hackler of Rogers, a sister-in-law, Mrs. Jorayne Hackler of Mountain home, and numerous other loved ones.
During WWII he was a bombardier and navigator in a B-24 bomber. He received numerous medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. His plane was hit on his 49th mission, and only he and the tailgunner survived. He became a POW but escaped and walked from Greece to Bulgaria.
He served two terms in the Arkansas House of Representatives, and was elected delegate from Benton County to the state Constitutional Convention in 1980. He was a member of the state Police Commission, and president of the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association.
A memorial service will be held Sunday January 27th at 2:30 p.m. in the convocation room at Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Joe Bill Hacker Odyssey Endowment at Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, AR 72032.
To sign the online guestbook please visit www.nelsonberna.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville.
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