HAMILTON, Billy (Bill)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, October 6, 2007 Billy (Bill) Hamilton Bill was born at home in Winters, Texas, to Loyd E. and Eudell Hamilton on Oct. 18, 1930. He passed away Oct. 2, 2007, in Phoenix, Ariz. He attended grade school in Winters and the family moved to Brownfield, Texas, in 1944 where he attended Brownfield High School, graduating in 1948. He went to work in the oil field as a roughneck one week after graduation, where he worked until January of 1949. He enlisted in the Navy in January 1949 and was honorably discharged in January of 1950. He went back to work in the oil fields after discharge. In 1951, he went to work for his father in the auto parts business. He was called back into the Navy in 1952 and served during the Korean War. He was stationed on the USS Electra AKA4 for the duration, being honorably discharged in late 1954. He returned to the family business and worked there until he moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in September of 1962. Bill met his wife-to-be, Carolyn – wife-to-be, while he was in the Navy. They were married in Brownfield on June 11, 1955. They moved to Phoenix in 1962 and bought an auto parts store and built it up to five stores and a warehouse. Bill and Carolyn moved to Prescott Valley, Ariz., in 2000, where he worked for Carquest Auto Parts. He retired in 2003. Bill was a 50- year member of the Arizona Masonic Lodge #2, Phoenix Scottish Rite, El Zaribah Shrine Temple and the Royal Order of Jesters. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved being outdoors. Bill loved life and lived each day to the fullest. He was always ready for his next big adventure. He never met a stranger, and made friends all over the country. He was most proud of his family and never missed an event that his children and grandchildren were involved in. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by Carolyn, his wife of 52- years; his sons, Shawn, Gene, Stewart (Cathy) and Robin (Kimbely) Hamilton; his daughter, Dana Sue (Johnny) Johnson; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a younger brother Tommy (Betty) Hamilton of Brownfield, Texas; and his beloved dog Duke. He is preceded in death by his parents; an older brother, Jack Hamilton; and a grandson, Ryan Gregory Hamilton. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, at Sunrise Funeral Home, 8167 E. Highway 69 in Prescott Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriners Crippled Childrens Hospital, through El Zaribah Temple. Information provided by survivors.