HATANO, BILLY KAZUYOSHI, 86, passed away with his family by his side on March 6, 2017 in Sacramento, from a heart-related ailment. A 1949 graduate of Roseville High School, Billy lived a full life that included 34 years at the Sacramento Army Depot, diligently working from an entry level mail clerk to a computer systems analyst. While living in Placer County as a youth, he and his family were interned at Tule Lake Internment Camp during WWII. In 1950, Billy enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to fight in the Korean War. Soon after arriving overseas, he was captured and spent 1,007 days in a prisoner of war camp. After returning home to Sacramento, Billy married Grace Yamamura in 1955. He is survived by his wife Grace, sons Brian (Cynthia) and Kevin (Melinda); grandchildren Cirby, Bryson, Pancho and Brianne; sister Gerry Goishi; brother Masayuki Hatano. Billy loved his family and was proud of their accomplishments. Predeceased by parents Yoshimasa and Yaeko; sister Susie Okamoto. He was a longtime member of the Buddhist Church of Sacramento and the Kumamoto Kenjin Kai.

A memorial will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, 2401 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento.