HAMILTON, William R.
Of Mattawan
William R. "Bill" Hamilton, 83, of Mattawan, Michigan, passed away at his home Saturday, September 27, 2008, after a lengthy illness. Bill leaves behind his wife, Olive "Skip" (nee Burlew) Hamilton, whom he married on August 28, 1949, in Marcellus. Also surviving are his two sons, Randall Hamilton of Three Rivers and David (Carolyn) Hamilton of Brookfield, Wisconsin; two grandsons, Matthew Hamilton of Brookfield, Wisconsin and Steven Hamilton of Chicago, Illinois; two step-grandchildren, Dr. Amy (Andrew Glomski) Lossie of Lafayette, Indiana, and Christopher Lossie, of Paw Paw; one cousin, Margery (Ray) Hora of Three Rivers. Bill was born in Three Rivers, Michigan, on September 18, 1925, and was the only child of William C. and Susan (Healy) Hamilton. Bill graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1943 and attended the University of Michigan under the U.S. Navy V-12 program, graduating as an Ensign and receiving a degree in electrical engineering. He served in the U.S. Navy on the light cruiser U.S.S. Columbia. He was a Special Agent in the FBI for two years, receiving a commendation from J. Edgar Hoover. In 1951, he left the FBI to start an auto parts business in Paw Paw. He became a well-known business man in Paw Paw, served on the village council, and was Paw Paw's Chief of Police for three years prior to making another career change. In 1971, he enrolled in the University of Notre Dame law school and was admitted to the Michigan Bar Association in 1974. He practiced law in Paw Paw until his retirement. Bill was a proud member of the Paw Paw Fire Department and looked forward to the annual recognition dinner. He was a member of the American Legion, McGowan-Johnson Post #68 and the Paw Paw Masonic Lodge. Over the years, Bill pursued many interests, including travel, playing cards, camping, amateur radio, square dancing, square dance calling, and singing with the Kalamazoo Mall City Barbershop Chorus. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 1, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Avenue, Paw Paw, with a Memorial Service immediately following at 11 AM. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill's memory may be directed to Hospice of Southwest Michigan or the Paw Paw Fire Department. Share a memory or condolence on line at: www.timeformemory.com/adams
Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 9/29/2008 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection)