Staff

Once you request the services of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, we will immediately put our experienced funeral professionals to work for you. A single, dedicated individual will stay in contact with you every step of the way and guide you through the decision-making process. He or she will carefully explain your options, make recommendations at your request, take care of all the small details, and ensure that you and your family’s personal touch is always present.

Our Staff: 

	Hatch Bailey Hatch Bailey is the Funeral Director in Charge, President of the Board and co-owner of the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with his parents, Roberta Hatch Bailey and Arthur William Bailey, Jr., and brothers Roy Bailey and Wes Wilkirson Bailey. Hatch and his late wife, the former Yvonne Mize, met at Baylor University and married in 1983. They had four sons and were married for almost 24 years before Yvonne fell victim to Melanoma skin cancer. Hatch graduated from Vanguard College Preparatory School, Baylor University, Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and Leadership Waco. He began working part time at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey in 1979 and began his full time career in 1982 after having graduated from Mortuary School. Over the years he has served as the president of two private Christian school boards, president of the Baylor/Waco Foundation and the Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Board of Visitors, community advisor to The Junior League of Waco and board member for the International Order of the Golden Rule. Currently, Hatch serves on the McLennan Community College Foundation Board and is a charter member of The Leaders Network. Hatch, following in the steps of his father and grandfather, also serves as a deacon at The First Baptist Church of Waco. When not working, he mostly enjoys family activities. His hobbies include the fine arts, spectator sports, travel and nature.
	Tommy Riggs Tommy Riggs is Vice Director in Charge and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2000. Tommy grew up in Waco and is a graduate of Richfield High School and the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He also attended Texas Tech University. He is a Member of Waco Masonic Lodge #92, the Hedonia Club and the Kiwanis Club. He and his wife Toni are members of First United Methodist Church Waco. He has two sons, Thomas and Chris, and enjoys golf, physical fitness, swimming and spending time with his family.
	Don Glaser Don Glaser is the Controller and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2004. Don has a Bachelor of Science Degree from North Texas State. He and his wife Becky have two children, Andrea and Mark. He is a member of Hope Lutheran Church where he serves as a Church Council member, teaches Sunday school and is treasurer of Hope Lutheran Memorial Park Association. Also, he is a member of the Lions Club and the Buckholts Betterment Association. Hobbies include gardening and enjoying the outdoors.
	Steve Mansen Steve Mansen is a Funeral Director and Administrative Assistant and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2007. He grew up in Waco, graduating from Richfield High School and is a graduate of Texas Christian University, Brite Divinity School and Philips Theological Seminary. He is also an ordained minister in the Christian church (Disciples of Christ). Steve and his wife Wendy have two children and are members of Central Christian Church, where Steve is a former pastor. Steve is also an avid runner and hiker, and is a member of the State Bar of Texas Grievance Review Board.
	Vidal De Leon Vidal De Leon is a Funeral Director and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2001. He is a native of Waco where he graduated from University High School. He also graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Camp Fire USA, and he is a Third and Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Waco Leadership Forum and on the Board of Directors the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum. Vidal was personnel director at Wolfe Florists for 31 years and enjoys reading and music.
	Baxter Bailey Baxter Bailey is currently a Funeral Director’s Assistant and has been working at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2009. He is the oldest son of Hatch Bailey and the late Yvonne Bailey, and the grandson of Bill and Roberta Hatch Bailey. He is the fifth generation of the family to serve at the funeral home. Baxter grew up in Waco, and graduated from Bosqueville High School where he was involved in band and many sports. He later attended Brandon Hall in Georgia, Austin Community College and Texas State Technical College. Baxter was a Private First Class in the Young Marines and over the years, has been involved with Kanakuk Kamps, K-Life, Cotton Palace, The Symphony Brass and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Waco. He enjoys tennis and hunting.
	Evelyn Love Evelyn Love is the Director of Advanced Planning and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 1997. She attended East Tennessee State University and is a graduate of Edison State College in Fort Myers, Florida. Prior to moving to Waco in 1996, Evelyn worked in church related fields and as Family Services Counselor at Lehigh Funeral Home in Lehigh Acres, Florida. She currently holds a Real Estate Broker license and is a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Texas Association of Realtors. She has been actively involved in the community, and was a past president of Leadership Waco. She is also a member of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and a member of the First Baptist Church of Waco. Evelyn has a son, Bill Love, and a daughter, Deanna Lovesmith; both of whom received degrees from Baylor University. Deanna also has a Doctorate degree from A&M University. Evelyn cherishes family time and especially spending time with her grandsons, Austin and Brady.
	Dwain Funderburk Dwain Funderburk is a Funeral Director and Embalmer and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 1982. Dwain is a graduate of Commonwealth College of Science and of the Texas A&M Fire Training School. He lives in Seale and has two grown children, Steve and Whitney. Dwain is currently a Volunteer Fireman with the Seale-Round Prairie Volunteer Fire Department and was with the Groesbeck Volunteer Department for a total of 22 years, 17 of which he served as chief. In his spare time Dwain likes to hunt and fish.
	Odell Nevills Odell Nevills is a Funeral Service Assistant with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey and has been with WHB since June 2001. He is a graduate of Mart High School and currently resides in Mart. He is a member of the Mart Volunteer Fire Department and the Mart Masonic Lodge 636 where he is currently serving as Worshipful Master for the 2007-2008 Masonic year. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and riding horses.
	Patricia Russo Patricia Russo is an Administrative Assistant and has been employed with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2008. She attended La Vega High School and McLennan County Community College. Patricia is a long-time administrative assistant for several local Baptist churches and the Waco Baptist Association. She and her husband Frank enjoy supporting local fundraisers and attending arts and crafts shows and classic car shows.
	Susan Ochoa Stem Susan works as an Administrative Assistant at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. She graduated from Robinson High School, and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2008. Susan is a former Rosebud-Lott Band Booster president and a member of the First Baptist Church in Lott. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and entertaining family and friends. Susan has two sons, Bryan and Wiley, IV.
	Dr. Paul Stripling Dr. Paul Stripling serves as Director of our Grief Counseling program, Hand in Hand, and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2004. Dr. Stripling is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as the Executive Director for Waco Baptist Association for 22 years and currently serves as an adjunct professor for Baylor University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He and his wife Roberta have two daughters, Paula Kay Stripling Voyles and Dr. Mary Kathryn Stripling and twin grandsons, Tyler and Tucker Voyles. His hobbies include teaching and photography.
	Carl Shamburger Carl Shamburger is a Funeral Director's Assistant and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2005. Born and raised in Quitman, TX, he is a graduate of Quitman High School and Baylor University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music. Carl worked at Cox's Department store for 36 years and has served as a church organist for 61 years. He served at several churches in Waco during and since his Baylor days and recently retired as organist at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church of Waco. He is a long time member, past president and currently member and pianist of the Bellmead Lions Club and pianist for the Waco Rotary Club. Carl and his wife, Ann, have two children, Michelle Royal and Brian Shamburger and four grandchildren.
	Dr. Bill Hoy Dr. Bill Hoy, Grief Counselor, oversees the community education program, providing resources, consultation and continuing education workshops for care giving professionals and volunteers in our community. He has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2009. Involved in grief counseling and education for more than 25 years, Bill is an invited presenter, delivering more than 75 workshops and keynote addresses across the United States and Canada every year. School-based bereavement programs for children and teens have been his clinical counseling focus, and his research interest is focused on the cross-cultural use of funerals and other ceremonies. He and his wife Debbie are parents to two teenagers, Carolyn and Greg. BillHoy@att.blackberry.net
	Greg Brumit Greg Brumit works as a Funeral Director’s Assistant at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey and has been with the company since 2001. He holds a B.A. from Dallas Baptist University and a Masters Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Greg is the pastor at Kendrick Lane Baptist Church, and also enjoys fishing. He is married to Debbie and has 3 adult children and one granddaughter.
	Joe Flores Joe Flores is a Funeral Service Assistant and has been employed at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2001. He is a member of the St. Louis Catholic Church and enjoys working, traveling, gambling and watching sports. He loves spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
	Vivan Gafford Vivian has been with WHB since 2005 as an administrative assistant. She grew up in Gholson and graduated from West High School and is active in church and community activities. Vivian has three children, Chris and wife Amy, Boo and Laura and two granddaughters, Hallie and Alyssa. She enjoys spending time with her family especially her “grandgirls”, gardening and taking trips with her sisters.
	Charles Grantham Charles Grantham is a Funeral Service Assistant and has worked for Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2009. Charles retired from M&M Mars in 2009 and attended Tarleton State and Texas Tech Universities. Charles enjoys being with his family, watching sports and dancing.
	Paul Leos Bio coming soon!
	Mary Jane Lundy Mary Jane Lundy has been working at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey as a receptionist since 2007. She was born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas. She has lived from the west coast to the east coast and several places in between. She enjoys traveling, needlework and is very interested in Animal Rights Activities. She stays involved by volunteering at the Animal Birth Control Clinic.
	Jim Pitts Jim Pitts serves as a Funeral Service Assistant and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2001. He and his family moved to the Bruceville area when he was six years old, where he later graduated from Bruceville High. His career has been varied; he worked in radio in Arkansas and Texas, the EMT, the American Red Cross Blood Bank, TSTC, and later in the music industry selling organs. Jim plays the organ and is currently the organist for Lake Shore United Methodist Church in Waco. He has played for several silent movies, more recently, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in 2009, and is often an election judge. Jim is married to Maria, and has four children and six grandchildren.
	Dowell Reese Dowell Reese is a Funeral Service Assistant for Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. He earned a B.A. degree from Texas Tech University, and has been employed with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2005. Before joining us, he was the owner of Lonestar Maintenance & Service, Inc., as well as a member of many city, municipal, and private water and sewer supply corporations in the state of Texas. He was married to the former Betty Simpson of Valley Mills, Texas in 1965. Dowell enjoys collecting rare coins and teak items.
	Johnny Rodriguez Johnny Rodriguez is a Funeral Service Assistant and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2004. He lives in Waco with his wife, Yolanda, and has been married 41 years. He is a member of Waco Mission, Inc., and attends Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He is president of the Eucharist Ministers and a Parish Council Member. His hobbies include being a radio deejay and collecting nutcrackers, old 45’s and albums.
	Roger Sanson Roger Sanson in a Funeral Services Assistant and has been with Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey since 2008. Roger attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He and his wife are members of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. Roger spends his free time golfing, fishing and hunting.
	Carol Bartlett Burton Carol Bartlett Burton has been working at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey as a receptionist since 2011. She is a lifelong Wacoan and attended Waco High School and McLennan Community College as well as business school. She has worked in all levels of long term care, and has mainly worked in marketing and public relations for 16 years. She has been a member of First Baptist Church of Round Rock and First Baptist Church of Woodway. She was active in North Waco Rotary, healthcare and civic organizations. Carol has three children, Betsy Patterson, David Burton and Angela Schlaack. She has nine grandchildren and two great grandsons. She loves being with family and friends and also enjoys her little poodles, Toby and Casper.