Hattie Tipton, 75, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away at 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Baptist Health Paducah. She was born in Paducah on August 29, 1950, to the late William Henry Willhelm and Thelma Whited Willhelm. Hattie worked at El-Chico Mexican Restaurant from 1985 until 2014, where she was a Bartender and Waitress. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Hattie is survived by her companion, Steve Riley of Paducah, Kentucky; daughter, Lori (Darren) Gessel of Paducah, Kentucky; son, Jeff (Kimberly) Tipton of Paducah, Kentucky; grandchildren, Dalton Tipton, Hannah Tipton, Shaun Gessel, Chris Gessel, Greg Gessel, Jason Ross, Jenny Lenoard, Nikki Keeling, Tori Gessel and Steven Gessel; 24 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; brother, William Willhelm of Paducah, Kentucky; sister, Virginia Stephen and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by five sisters, Dora Ricks, Rosemary Nall, Phyllis Willhelm, Juanita Willhelm, and Glenda Ann Gordon; five brothers, Garland Willhelm, J.C. Willhelm, Gerald Willhelm, Charles Willhelm and Thomas Willhelm, and her parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
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