William Melvin Hadley, Jr., 81, of Poplar Bluff passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Mel entered this world on Thursday, Feb. 19, 1945. He was the only child of William Melvin Hadley, Sr. and Mary Ventors Johnson Hadley of Nashville, Tennessee.

Mel attended public schools in Nashville and higher education at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he met his wife, Kathy. Together they celebrated 58 years of marriage and three children; son, William Joseph Hadley and daughter-in-law Geri Hadley (both preceded in death), Susan Stephenson and Sharon (Andrew) Harter of Springfield, Missouri.

In addition, Mel is survived by three grandsons, David, Phillip, and Kenneth Hadley, and his sister-in-law Karen Pace.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made in Mel’s name to The Gideon International.

Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home at 366 College Street, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow funeral service at Poplar Bluff City Cemetery. Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home is assisting with all arrangements.

Condolences may be made online at www.fitchhillisfh.com or on the Fitch-Hillis Facebook page.