Julie Don Hathaway

Julie Don Hathaway, 67, of Walters, Oklahoma, passed away on October 2, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel in Walters, with Rev. Roger Noland officiating. Interment will follow at Walters Cemetery.

Julie was born to Oran Donald “Don” and Carol Jeanne (McClung) Hathaway on October 13, 1958, in Lawton, Oklahoma. She grew up in Walters and graduated from Walters High School in 1976.

After graduation, Julie worked for the Cotton County Court Clerk’s Office for several years before moving to California. A year later, she returned home to Walters and began what would become a 41-year career with Lawton Public Schools. She first served as a secretary at Central Middle School before transferring to Student Services, where she worked as an administrative assistant until her retirement.

Julie lived life with creativity, passion, and plenty of spirit. During high school, she was an outstanding athlete with many basketball accomplishments. She was also a feature twirler who competed in—and won—numerous contests.

Her independent streak and determination showed up early. Once, during high school, her basketball coach told the team that if anyone could find someone to drive the bus to go get pizza, they could have pizza. Julie solved the problem in true Julie fashion—she got behind the wheel and drove the bus herself. And depending on who you ask, she may or may not have once climbed and painted the Walters water tower.

Julie had a way of making life a little more fun, a little more interesting, and certainly more memorable.

Julie had an incredibly compassionate heart and loved people deeply. When she loved you, she loved you with her whole heart. She had a special way of knowing when someone needed her and somehow always knew the right thing to say. She listened without judgment and made people feel loved, accepted, and understood, no matter what they were going through.

She was the person you could turn to when life was hard, when you needed advice, or when you simply needed someone to listen. She had a gentle soul and a patient heart, but she also wasn’t afraid to tell you what you needed to hear when you needed to hear it. Her kindness wasn’t something she talked about—it was something she lived. She showed it in countless little ways, often doing things for others before they even knew they needed help. Caring for people simply came naturally to Julie.

Julie treasured the friendships she made throughout her life, and her close-knit group of friends remained by her side through the years. She loved working in her yard, along with everybody else’s, decorating her home to the next level, and hosting a great party. If Julie was involved, you could count on every detail being perfect.

Above all, Julie loved her family fiercely. Being a mother and grandmother brought her tremendous joy, and there was almost nothing she wouldn’t do for the people she loved. She hated missing anything her children or grandchildren were involved in. No distance was too far, and no event was too small. She would drive hours just to watch a couple of games, attend a dance recital or school function, or simply be there for an important moment.

Whether it was basketball, dance, school activities, or anything else that mattered to them, Julie did everything she could to show up. Her family never had to wonder if she loved them or was proud of them—they knew, because she made sure they knew. She was there. Again and again.

Julie leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured simply by the years she lived, but by the people she loved and the lives she touched. She will be remembered for her pure heart, her gentle soul, her compassion, her patience, her humor, and the way she made the people around her feel cared for. She had a gift for carrying some of the weight when someone she loved was hurting, and the love she gave so freely will continue to live on through her family and everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

Julie was preceded in death by her father, Don Hathaway; her daughter-in-law, Chris Reed; her brother-in-law, Mike Darnell; and her grandparents, Alta and Joe McClung.

She is survived by her mother, Carol Hathaway of Walters; her sons, Brandon Reed and Anthony Reed, both of Walters; her daughter, Ashley Johnson and husband Austin of Amarillo; her sister, Liz Darnell of Walters; a nephew, Brian Darnell and her six grandchildren, Gavin Reed, Trenity Don Reed, Trevin James Reed, Addilyn Jaymes Johnson, Ambry Sky Johnson, and Aspyn Reign Johnson.

She is also survived by her aunt, Joe Ann Hicks; her cousins, Kendra Elliot, Larry Don Hathaway and Errica; Joe and Kathy Hicks, her uncle and aunt, Gary and Donna Hathaway; Uncle Herbert Johnson of Walters; as well as many other relatives, lifelong friends, and loved ones who will deeply miss her.

Julie spent her life showing up for the people she loved. Her family will carry that love with them always.