Thomaston- Colonel Randal B. Hathway, USAF Retired, 89, died Saturday evening, April 30, at his home. He was the husband of Dorothy A. (Chapman) Hathway. Col. Hathway was born November 11, 1921 in St. George, Staten Island, New York son of the late Randal F. and Ida B. (Durham) Hathway. He has been a resident of Thomaston since 1931 and was a graduate of Thomaston High School class of 1938 and the received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut, class of 1949. He had been employed by the Hallden Machine Co. in Thomaston and the Superior Electric Co. in Bristol. He had served as a voting machine mechanic for twenty years and was a member of many groups including the following: HS Liederkranz, Thomaston Choral Club, Railroad Museum of New England, bantam Lake Yacht Club, Thomaston Historical Society, American Legion, Air Force Association, 8th Air Force Historical Society and the 78th Fighter Group Association - WW2. He enjoyed amateur radio, advanced class license call WA1WPJ, sailing, and model trains. A veteran fighter pilot more than 27 years of service, including WWII and the Korean War, he saw aerial combat in Europe and the Pacific, flying 102 combat missions, logging 305 combat hours in the air. He had served in the following units, 83rd Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force - England, the 465th Squadron, 507th Fighter Group, 7th Air Force - Ie Shima, the 121st Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD and was commander of the 118th Squadron, 103rd Fighter Group, CTANG - Bradley IAP, CT. He was a member of the Connecticut Air National Guard from 1948 to 1969. At retirement he was command pilot with more than 3,000 hours of flying time in many types of USAF aircraft. He was promoted to Brigadier General by the Governor of Connecticut upon his retirement from the State service. His awards and decorations include, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, American Theater, European Theater with three battle stars - Air Offensive Germany, Normandy, Northern France, Pacific Theater with three battle stars - China, Air Offensive Japan, Ryukyus, WWII Victory medal, Army of occupation, National Defense Medal, Air Force Longevity, Armed Forces Reserve and Connecticut Long Service - 25 years. In addition to his wife he is survived by three sons, Alan W. Hathway of Northfield, Keith C. Hathway and his wife Janice of Thomaston and Bruce B. Hathway of Thomaston; one daughter, Virginia H. Way of Waterbury; one brother Pete Hathway and his wife Bobbi of Mansfield; five grandchildren, Nathan, Kevin, Joshua, Erin and Chelsea Hathway; one great-grandson Trevor and his daughter-in-law Ann Marie Hathway of Swansea, MA. He was predeceased by a son, Randal P. Hathway. Arrangements: Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 5, at 11:00 A.M. at the First Congregational Church of Thomaston. Burial with full military honors will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Lyons Funeral Home 46 High St. Thomaston.

Service Information Cemetery Hillside Cemetery Center Street Thomaston, CT --> Visitation Wednesday May 4, 2011 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Lyons Funeral Home 46 High Street Thomaston, CT 06787 --> Service Thursday May 5, 2011 11:00 AM First Congregational Church of Thomaston Main Street Thomaston, CT 06787 -->