Bill T. Hutcheson

Funeral services for Bill T. Hutcheson, 75, of Livingston will be held graveside Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Garden of Memories Memorial Park in Lufkin. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at his home in Livingston.

Bill Hutcheson was born September 27, 1949 in Lufkin, Texas to John Allen and Becky Hutcheson, and passed away peacefully with his son, Jess, beside him July 14, 2026. He grew up in Lufkin where he was a member of Timberland Drive church of Christ, the Boy Scouts, and graduated from Lufkin High School. As a young man he attended Sam Houston State University where he met his lifelong wife, Janet Smith, and received an officer's commission in the United States Army through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Bill spent 21 years as an Armor Officer at duty stations in Germany, Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, and Mississippi. His qualifications and awards include the Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, and Legion of Merit. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1995 and settled with his family in Austin, Texas, until 2006, at age 56, he temporarily returned to active duty and served in Baghdad as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His civilian career as a training director saw him employed with Dell Computer, Tokyo Electron Ltd, and the Texas Department of Transportation, as well as another deployment to Iraq in 2010 as a civilian advisor to the U.S. Army.

Bill was a man of action and adventure. Service to his country, family, and friends were the compass that guided him and he was always the first to eagerly help with any problem that he saw. His passions were touring Europe's rivers with Janet, camping on the Boundary Waters of Canada and the Trinity River of Texas, and speeding across Lake Livingston in his purple boat. He cared for his own and Janet's parents in their old age, was active in the churches of Christ where he lived, in his neighborhood of Indian Hills, and doted on a long line of Labrador Retrievers.

Those who mourn Bill will be comforted by memories of his loyalty and love, laughter and too-tight hugs, and strong helping hands.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Janet Alice Hutcheson of Livingston; son and grandson, Jess and Henry Hutcheson of Kingwood; brother, Harold Hutcheson of Buda; sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and John Williams of Lufkin; sister-in-law, Linda Little of Katy; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Thomas and Debbie Smith of Kerrville; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William and Dianna Smith of Austin; brother-in-law, James Smith, of Arlington, VA; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and friends from his neighborhood of Indian Hills and the U.S. Army.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law Bill and Ruth Smith; his sister-in-law, Peggy Hutcheson; his brother-in-law, Tom Little; and his best friend, Lew Nash.

Soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas will execute a Full Honors Funeral Mission and serve as pallbearers to escort LTC Hutcheson to his final resting place.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.