John William Hamilton, Jr.

John William Hamilton Jr.
1923 - 2017

John William Hamilton, Jr., age 93, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2017 surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Monroe on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 1:00 PM, followed at 2:00 PM by a memorial service with Pastor Tim Neustifter officiating.
John, the son of John William Hamilton and Virgia LaCombe Hamilton, was born December 10, 1923 in Alexandria, LA, and graduated from Bolton High School. He attended Louisiana Tech University for a short time before joining the U. S. Navy in 1943. John was stationed in San Diego, California; Whidbey Island, Washington; and in Iowa where he was attending University of Iowa Flight School when World War II ended. He returned to Louisiana Tech where he met and married his wife of 69 years, Etta Faye McLeland in 1948. John earned his Mechanical Engineering degree in 1950, after which the U.S. Navy called him back to San Diego for the Korean War. He was stationed in Japan while serving aboard the USS Dixie and was discharged in 1952.
John and Etta Faye settled in Monroe where John accepted a job with Columbian Carbon Company as an engineer, during which time he traveled worldwide for business. Family vacations were spent at Dauphin Island and Lake City, Colorado, for many years.
John grew up hunting and fishing, developed a love of photography in college and enjoyed sharing these passions with his extended family until his passing. His photographs of family events, hunts and vacations captured a lifetime of wonderful memories.
John was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for 63 years, past Commander of L. B. Faulk American Legion Post 13, a Shriner, and member of the Scottish Rite.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Virgia Hamilton; sister, Mary Nell Hamilton Giaroli (John Nello); grandson, Mark Hamilton Kennedy; and sister-in-law, Sue McLeland Babcock Martin.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Etta Faye McLeland Hamilton and their children, Gayle Hamilton, John W. Hamilton III, Wanda Hamilton Shelton (Steve), and Elizabeth Hamilton; grandsons, Paul Kennedy (Sherri), Zachary Norris (Leandra), Benjamin Norris; and great granddaughter, Isabelle Kennedy. Also, his late sister's family, Cindy Voyles (Ruben), John Giaroli (Deborah), Dr. Eddie Giaroli (Carole), Mark Giaroli, Linda Maners, Nancy Wickman (John); sisters-in-law, Georgia Nolan (Pete), Ellouise Brossett (Bob); brother-in-law, Richard McLeland, and their families.
Special thanks to Dr. Charles Morgan and the 5th floor nurses and staff of St Francis Hospital for the special care they provided.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, L. B Faulk American Legion Post 13, Shriner's Hospital, or Methodist Children's Home in Ruston, LA.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road
Monroe, LA