Charles Chandler Hatcher III

Charles Chandler Hatcher III, 87, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away January 2, 2022. Chandler was the son of Charles C. Hatcher Jr. and Helen Odell Hatcher of Highland Park, Illinois. He was born in Evanston, Illinois, on April 27, 1934. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Joan Hatcher Koolage. He is survived by the love of his life, his devoted wife, Camille, and his beloved children; Chandler Hatcher Jr. (Rebecca) of Los Angeles, Calif., Julie Hatcher Kahan (Tony) of Glenview, Illinois, and Michael Hatcher (Alexandra) of Los Angeles, Calif., and six grandchildren, Allison, Janie, Natalie, Olivia, Thea, and Julian. Chan served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a cryptologist in the Army Security Agency. He attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla., in 1959. While attending Florida Southern he was elected president of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, president of the Intra Fraternity Council and president of his graduation class. Hatcher started his advertising career as an audio engineer at The Leo Burnett Company in 1959. He learned the advertising business from many of the legends in the field including Mr. Burnett himself. At Burnett he produced commercials for such blue-chip clients as Green Giant, Pillsbury, Kellogg, United Air Lines, Proctor & Gamble and Nestles. In early 1972 he joined GTR production, a Chicago film company, as a director where he directed numerous well-known national commercials. In 1974 he joined the advertising agency Cunningham & Walsh in Chicago, as a Senior Vice President, Director of Broadcast Production. In addition to his production responsibilities Hatcher was appointed Director of Operations, where he was responsible for the overall operation of the agency. In 1985 Hatcher joined D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles in St. Louis, as Senior Vice President, Director of Broadcast Production. Due to Anheuser Busch's demand for outstanding creative and the extremely talented creative people at D'Arcy, for ten straight years Chan had at least one commercial airing on the world's commercial showcase, the NFL's Super Bowl. Chan might best be remembered as the producer of the beloved Budweiser "Frogs" commercial, Bud…Wise…Errr! During his forty years in advertising Hatcher worked with many well-known Hollywood and sport personalities. He won numerous advertising and film awards including several Addie's, the coveted Clio, as well as a Silver Lion at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2000 Hatcher, the creative team, and their beloved Budweiser's "Frogs" commercial were elected to the Clio's Hall of Fame. In recognition of his outstanding career, Hatcher was awarded the 2004 Distinguished Graduate Award from his Alma Mater, Florida Southern College. He was a retired member of The Director's Guild of America and The Screen Actors Guild. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995, Chan was very active with the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Highlands Methodist Church Men's group in getting men from Northwestern Arkansas free testing and screenings for prostate cancer. Additionally, Chan served as a driver, board member and president of the Bella Vista Courtesy Van. His remains will be interned at the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to The Folds of Honor, Department #13, Tulsa, Okla., 74182, https://foldsofhonor.org/join-the-mission/ways-to-give/ or Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy, Bentonville, Ark., 72712, https://nwacircleoflife.com/donatesupport/#donatenow. Arrangments by Epting Funeral Home of Bella Vista. Condolences: www.eptingfuneralhome.webs.com