William Sanford Hattaway, age 78, of Niceville, Florida went to join Mae, his soul mate of 32 years on Monday, August 6, 2012. William was born in Banks, Alabama to Auburn Sanford Hattaway and Julia Lucille McDonald in 1933. He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955, and attended Troy State University formerly Troy State Teachers College to receive his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Education. After College he went into civil service and retired in 1994 as Senior Operations Analyst.

He was preceded in death by both his parents, his wife of 32 years, Mae Ann Hattaway, son Jeffery Laird and daughter Ellen Laird. Survivors include two sons, Earl A. Laird and Wife Debbie of Crestview, Florida and Clifton Laird of Niceville; two daughters, Linda Cooper and Husband David of Pensacola, Florida, and Brenda Swanzy of Troy, Alabama; brother Jerry Hattaway of Montgomery, Alabama and sister Peggy Hattaway of Niceville, Florida; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was a loving husband father and friend. He believed that honesty was a way of life and that all people were truly created equal.

A Life Celebration will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Twin Cities Funeral Home Chapel 1405 John Sims Parkway, Niceville, Florida.