Joseph W. Hamilton

HAMILTON, JOSEPH W. Jackson, MI Joseph W. Hamilton, 86, a long time resident of Jackson, died suddenly among his family on Sunday, August 19, 2012. Joe was born on June 22, 1926, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the youngest of five children of Clyde and Allie (Skinner) Hamilton. He graduated from Casey High School in Iowa as President of his class in 1943, participated in sports and several clubs which taught him the importance of community service early in life- he certainly loved the farm life in Iowa. November 18, 1944 he joined the Navy as a Gunners Mate. He received his BA at Western Michigan in Kalamazoo and following this introduction to the world of business and finance he launched a career which spanned more than 40 years of outstanding service. He worked for L.C. Kingscott and Assoc. in Sterling, IL as an architect and engineer; then as a business manager at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI. Joe moved to Jackson, MI in 1962 where he became the corporate controller at Foote Hospital where he worked until 1982. Joe was an artist, intelligent, creative, and service oriented. He invested his time and talents towards creating a strong healthcare institution that met the diversity and growing needs of this field. He played a creative roll in planning and implementation of key changes that contributed to the growth of Foote and he was instrumental in implementing the first modernized computer system. A major undertaking for Foote. He was also part of the merger of two hospitals. Joe participated on the Board of Mental Health, member of the Rotary club for many years, and President of the Michigan Chapter of the Financial Management Association. He taught us about loving unconditionally, the importance of family, giving without conditions, respecting others, and that every day is a gift. Joe was always first and foremost a loving and devoted husband and father but his love of golf was next and he had 3 hole-in-ones. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, son Scott, brothers Gene, Fran, Clyde, and Ken, and his first wife Patricia. He is survived by his wife Charlene, daughter Sandy (Kevin) Taylor, son Steve, granddaughters Linsey Hamilton and Ashleigh Roberts, grandsons Zachary Hamilton and Toby Taylor, many nieces and nephews, plus two favorite pets Mango and Abbie. Funeral arrangements are being made by Wetherby Funeral Home. Family will greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm with a memorial service on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 3:00pm also at the funeral home. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial contribution to the Jackson Humane Society, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's, or the charity of your choice. Joe's family wishes to acknowledge the generous care provided him by Patricia Lamb M.D. Wetherby Funeral home 402 Wildwood Ave. 517.787.7511