Billy Joe Haen, 96, of Hutchinson, died October 5, 2024, at Hospice House of Reno County. He was born July 27, 1928, in Tonkawa OK, the son of William and Ethel (Pinkerton) Haen.

Bill graduated from Tonkawa High School with the class of 1946. He started his welding career in 1943 with the Whetmore company where he helped build agricultural machinery. Bill went on to be self-employed doing oil field work in Burrton. Then, he started his own welding business in 1965 and owned Bill Haen Welding and Machine for 53 years. He was a highly skilled welder with all types of metals as well as a fabricator and machinist. Bill was a hard worker and took pride in the labor his hands were capable of.

On December 22, 1949, Bill married Lucia Charolean Willis, in Partridge, KS. They shared 45 years of marriage before her death on July 10, 1995.

Bill is survived by: son, Bill D. (Cathie) Haen of Hutchinson; grandson, Chad Haen of McPherson; granddaughter, Jenny (Bobby) Rehse of Goddard; great-grandson, Lance Corporal Brandon Rehse of Marine Base Camp Pendleton, CA; great-granddaughter; Lauren Rehse of Goddard, KS.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Lucia Charolean Haen; daughter, Mary Haen; one brother; and two sisters.

Graveside service will be 10 a.m. on October 10, 2024, at Memorial Park Cemetery with Reverand Mik King officiating. Friends may sign his memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice House of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.