Longtime Tennessee farrier Bucky Hatfield passed away Monday, May 29, 2017, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Hatfield, who was a direct descendant of the clan who infamously feuded with the McCoys, received his start in the farrier trade at the age of 14 by helping his uncle shoe mules that were used in West Virginia coal mining operations.

After serving in the Marines during the Vietnam War, Hatfield studied under International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer Bud Beaston at Oklahoma Farrier College in Sperry, Okla. Hatfield established his own shoeing school in 1988 by opening Tennessee State Farrier School. He was a founder of the Guild of Professional Farriers Association in 1996 and served as its vice president. He served as president of the Tennessee Farriers Association in 1999. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association Hall Of Fame. Hatfield later moved to Lufkin, Texas, where he retired.

Viewing will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Harmony Baptist Church, 1731 Cook Rd., Crossville, TN 38555. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m.

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