Floyd William Hamilton

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Floyd William Hamilton, age 86, of Evanston, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, June 18. He had fought a battle with dementia for the last few years.

Floyd was born on April 22, 1934, to Pearl and Virgil Grey Hamilton in Holcomb, Missouri. He had three brothers: Harold, Ray and Richard.

Floyd grew up in the backwoods of Missouri. As a young boy, he caused a lot of mischief with his cousins. He told stories of selling the neighbors chicken eggs at the hometown store for a few pieces of candy. Floyd worked in the cottonfields as a young boy and would have races to see who could fill the sack with cotton first. When the other kids were not looking, he would slip a few rocks in their sack to make them heavier and harder to pull, so he would have the advantage.

Floyd loved to run as a young boy, and he ran track in school. He was injured on a hayride when his leg was caught in the spoke of the wagon. His leg was badly injured and the doctor wanted to amputate it. Floyd’s mother begged the doctor not to take the leg off. The doctor fused the knee and the leg was saved, but Floyd was left with a stiff leg for the rest of his life.

Floyd had a son, Charlie Wright, and then later married Hope Mariam Weatherson in Kerman, California, on Oct. 6, 1956. They had four children: Steven Ray, Brian Keith, Stacy Lynn (deceased) and Kristie Lea.

Floyd worked in the oilfields of California, Utah and Wyoming. Floyd had a work ethic that would not quit. He knew how to work and work hard. He could climb a derrick ladder with his stiff leg faster than any other crew member on location, and often had to have a little competition just to prove it.

Church was important to Floyd, and he made many friends in his church family. If there were any repairs or maintenance that needed to be done, you would find him there donating his time. He raised his family in church and to know Jesus.

Floyd loved yard work and had the most amazing orchard when they lived in California, with every kind of fruit and nut tree you could ever want. Fresh fruit could be picked right outside their door. Floyd won the “Green Thumb” award in Evanston one year for having such a beautiful yard.

Floyd loved dogs and had several throughout the years. His last loyal companion, Sandy/Barney was by his side at his time of passing.

Floyd loved the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He knew every player and their stats. He would critique the game as if he were the coach.

He loved his family and always wanted to hear about what was going on in their lives.

He will be missed by many. He was the king of pranks and jokes. He had the best one-liners and could come out with them faster than you could think of something to say back. He made you laugh and had lots of great stories to tell.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Hope; children, Charlie Wright and family, Steve (Diana), Brian (Rhonda) and Kristie (Dale) Duncan; he was very proud of his eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by daughter, Stacy Lynn; his parents; and brothers, Harold and Ray.

The family offers a special thank you to Ann LaRocco with Best Home Health and Hospice for her patience and loving care, and for being there when we needed her most.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20, at the Crossroads New Life Fellowship. A viewing will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., with the funeral service at 11:30 a.m.

Interment will be at the Evanston City Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at crandallfhevanston.com.