By Roger Nicholson

May 28, 2016 - As I am sure all of you have heard by now, our dear friend and colleague, Ben Hatfield, has been senselessly and tragically taken from us.  I know I speak for everyone in the coal industry in saying that Ben was one of the most compassionate, generous, and intelligent men we had the privilege to work with and know.  I hope that you will be able to join in the visitation and funeral services to honor Ben, his family and his life. 

Bennett K. Hatfield, 59, of Charleston, WV, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 22, 2016. He was born Oct. 26, 1956, in Williamson, WV, to the Rev. Sonny A. and Nola Phillips Hatfield. A longtime business leader in this region, Ben was the Principal of Coal Strategies LLC and also served as an Independent Director on the Boards of Foresight Energy LP and Minerals Refining Company. Ben had served in senior executive positions for over 20 years at Massey Energy, then was CEO of International Coal Group and later CEO of Patriot Coal. He was a Virginia Tech alumnus, graduating cum laude in 1979 with a B.S. in Mining Engineering. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Virginia Tech Mining and Minerals Engineering Department in 1999. In 2015, Ben was named to the Academy of Engineering Excellence by the Virginia Tech College of Engineering. Ben was a registered professional engineer, a third-generation coal miner, and served for many years on the board of the West Virginia Coal Association. 

Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie Starr Hatfield, and his father, the Rev. Sonny A. Hatfield. He is survived by his mother, Nola Phillips Hatfield of Inez, KY; daughters, Ashley Kay (Watson) Stelly of Richmond, VA, and Lauren Nicole Hatfield of Arlington, VA; and son, Michael Shawn Lee of Louisville, KY. 

Also surviving are brothers, Ronald (Naomi) Hatfield of Logan, WV; Stephen (Mary) Hatfield of Charleston, WV, and Dennis (Trish) Hatfield of Louisa, KY; sisters, Roma Marcum of Inez, KY, and Pat (Bill) Keck of Huntington, WV; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews who all loved their Uncle B. dearly.

Ben’s favorite pastime was spending time with his family. He went to great lengths to plan yearly family reunions together. 

He was a benefactor to many special causes and charitable events, many done anonymously. Ben attended the River Ridge Church, and he and his wife, Debbie, were strong supporters of the Ambassador Christian Academy at Williamson, WV.

The family will receive friends at River Ridge Church, 2090 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV, from 5-8 p.m. Saturday. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Regional Church of God at Delbarton, WV, with the Rev. Mitchell Bias officiating.

Interment will follow at Mt. View Memory Gardens at Maher, WV. Active pallbearers will include Michael Castle, Roger Nicholson, Charles Snavely, Eugene Kitts, Mike Hardesty, Ray Marcum, Brad Hatfield, and Jeremy Hatfield. Honorary pallbearers include Howard M. Persinger, Baxter Phillips, Kevin Crutchfield, Bobby Webb, Sam Kitts, and Aaron Ray Hatfield.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Regional Church of God at Delbarton, WV, with the Rev. Mitchell Bias officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. View Memory Gardens at Maher, WV. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ambassador Christian Academy, 701 Alderson Street, Williamson, WV 25661. 

Please join me in paying our due respects to our great friend, Ben Hatfield this weekend. 

Ben Hatfield