Webb “Coach” Allen Hutchens July 24, 1948 ~ July 2, 2026 (age 77)

Funeral services for Webb “Coach” Hutchens, 77, of Portales will be held at 2:00 PM, Mon., July 6, 2026 at the Central Christian Church with Pastor Don Thomas officiating.  Burial will be in the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date. Members of the American Legion Post #31 along with members of his church family will serve as local pallbearers.

Webb Allen Hutchens was born July 24, 1948 in Jackson, MI to the home of Thirza Jane (McNeil) and Clark Loval Hutchens and passed from this life on the morning of July 2, 2026 in Portales.  Webb grew up in Jackson, and graduated from Jackson High School.  Following graduation, he attended Jackson Community College and then went on to complete his Bachelor’s Degree at Northern Michigan University.  Upon completing his degree, Webb joined the U. S. Navy and proudly served as a radio operator aboard the USS Oklahoma.  It was during the period of time that he was stationed off the coast of Vietnam that he was exposed to Agent Orange from which he suffered the effects for the rest of his life.

Following his discharge in 1974, he and a friend came to Portales.  Webb liked the community and decided to make it his home.  For many years he worked at radio stations in Clovis and Portales as a DJ and sports announcer for the Clovis Wildcats and the Portales Rams.  Webb went on to earn a Master’s Degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Communications.

For countless years, Webb coached youth league baseball, basketball, football, track and any other sport that needed his help.  As a result, he is lovingly known by generations of locals as “Coach.”  For many years he also did substitute teaching in Portales as well as in other area schools, and earned the respect and love of even more young people.

Webb was a faithful member of the Central Christian Church and the American Legion Post #31.  It was on August 20, 2022 that he was married to Deborah Waldrip.  They lovingly cared for each other through their various health maladies.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah; a brother, Clark Hutchens and a sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Willard Speck of Jackson, MI.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents.