Wayne Curtis Hamilton was born on July 14, 1928, to Vance and Josephine Hamilton in Springfield, Missouri. He passed away at Brookhaven Health Care Center after a short illness on August 6, 2011.
Wayne grew up in the rural Springfield area and was a graduate of Pleasant Hope High School. As a young man he was baptized, spent many a night with his coonhounds on a hot trail, and went on to serve his country in the Korean War.
He married Louise (Fralick) on March 14, 1959, and she was at his side when he passed from this life.
Wayne followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a crane operator, a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, and leaves behind a legacy of structures in the area which he helped to build. He was an avid lover of the outdoors, enjoying hunting, fishing, gardening, and simple things like feeding ‘his birds and squirrels’. He was also a gifted artist, and was quick to offer his paintings to those who visited him.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Harold, several nieces and nephews, and many beloved pets. He is survived by his wife, Louise; his daughter, Chris (Edson); son-in-law, Joey; grandson, Stephen; six younger sisters, Joyce (Saville), Bert (Gorden), Shirley (Salsman), Alma (Kelly), Linda (Lemmon), and Joan (Carrick); one younger brother, Johnnie; and a multitude of nieces and nephews who were all dearly loved by “Uncle Wayne”.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM Thursday, August 11, 2011. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, August 12, 2011 in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.