William "Ernie" Hiatt

William Ernest “Ernie” Hiatt, 78, of Sedalia, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2026, at his home.

He was born April 6, 1947, in Lexington, a son of William “Bill” and Viola (Brown) Hiatt.

In 1969, he married Teresa Moore.

Ernie was a 1965 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School and a 1970 graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla. He had a successful career as an electrical engineer and lived in Colorado, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

As a child, Ernie was active in Boy Scouts. He enjoyed collecting trains, building things, and camping. In recent years, he especially loved spending time with and keeping up with his grandchildren. Two of the greatest joys in his life were his grandkids and his trains. Food was his love language, and he especially enjoyed anything his son-in-law, Robby, cooked. He was a member of the Community of Christ.

Ernie is described as an amazing human. He was the kind of person who was always there when he was needed. He did for others without expecting anything in return and could always be counted on, any time and any day. He was a devoted dad and PaPa, deeply loved by his family and is truly irreplaceable.

Surviving are his wife, Teresa; three children, Stephen “Monte” Hiatt, Katherine Paul (Robby), and Loren Hiatt, all of Sedalia; and six grandchildren, Emery and Kate Paul, Colby and Tyler Hiatt, Raiden Hiatt, and Jeannie Blackmore.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Barbara Turner.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Heckart Funeral Home, where a memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the family for his grandchildren, whom he loved so much.