Bill Hamilton Obituary

Bill Carl Hamilton was born in a one- bedroom house with no power or water and a midwife present in Riverton Nebraska to Clyde Hamilton and Jean Hamilton, his younger brother Jim Hamilton was born 7+years later. He is survived by his three children Garvin Hamilton, Doug Hamilton, and Kari (Hamilton) DuVall, his grandchildren Isaac and Emma Hamilton and Aaron DuVall, his great-grandchildren Astra Hamilton and Daniel DuVall, and brother Jim Hamilton.

Bill and his parents migrated from Nebraska in a model A Ford with all of their possessions when he was 4 years old, and stopped in Rice Valley where they lived for a while, regrouping. They moved to Reedsport Oregon for the next year or so, then ultimately moved to Grants Pass Oregon when he was seven years old, where he has lived ever since.

He graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1953, and was the student body President his senior year. He attended Oregon State and graduated in Pharmacy, was the Delta Upsilon President, and met and married the love of his life Sylvia (Kain) Hamilton. They married June 8, 1957, moved back to Grants Pass from Oregon State in 1958 and had their three children, raising them all in Grants Pass. He and Sylvia were married almost 65 years until she passed away in 2022.

He was involved in the Active Club, creating the Boatnik celebration that continues today. He owned and operated Bi-Rite Pharmacy until retiring and closing the pharmacy to travel and enjoy life with family and friends. He was Rotary President and maintained his membership until passing.

He was an excellent poker player, incredible water and snow skier, tennis player, racquetball player and pickleball player, whitewater rafter, and bird hunter. He was very involved in the Rotary float trips to welcome the new exchange students on the three day lower Rogue River. He was extremely involved in beginning the Town Center Association and created the downtown Trick-or- Treat for Halloween. He loved site work and landscaping with a passion, along with doing woodwork with his wife and children.

He was the best father his three children could ever ask for, always teaching them life skills: construction, plumbing, electrical, fence building etc. with a never- ending list of projects/home improvements and maintenance until his passing.

He loved to travel with his wife, family and friends, always meeting new friends in all areas around the world that he went, learning what we all have in common among all the cultures that he visited. He often commented on how we all eat and laugh the same and could solve all the problems eating and drinking and sharing together.

He was an incredible storyteller of “almost” truths, and as he slowed down, thoroughly enjoyed telling them to anyone sitting with him, twinkling his blue eyes, with perhaps a cocktail in hand.

He was surrounded with love with his children and grandchildren until the day he passed peacefully in his own home.

His family, friends and community will all miss him and his contributions and love for them all. His wish is for all his passion for life, love, encouragement, community service and constant improvement to continue and perpetuate forward.

A Hui Hou – Until We meet again.