Van Hamilton

Van the Band Man....what a wonderful person he was....actually, the whole family. I was in and out of his music store for years. I played the flute in the Johnston Jr. and Anniston High School. Ever time I was in there his family made me feel like I was the only one that ever came in there. I'm blessed to have had somenone like Mr. hamilton in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Sincerely
Karen Rigo Stevenson
Destin, FL

I have so many good memories of Van & Lila. First met them in the late 50's as a member of Jacksonville HS band. Van was ready to help our band anyway he could. Visited in their home & band instrument store so many times. He will be greatly missed.

Gwen Conlee Westbrook
Jacksonville, AL

I am so sad to have just learned about Mr. Hamilton's death. Although I'm not actually related to Mr. Hamilton, I grew up calling him Uncle Van. I have many fond memories of time spent around Uncle Van and Aunt Lila when I was young and they both hold a special place in my heart. I will be praying for Aunt Lila and all of Uncle Van's family and friends.

As I learned of Van's death only a few minutes ago, so many wonderful memories began racing through my mind. Heartbroken to hear the news, I'm comforted knowing that he and Bill are together again.



When my husband Bill Veazey, a JSU Voice Major, was selected to build the first Saks High School band program, he was so grateful that Van was there to help him. Bill was a brass player in high school and college, so he wasn't that familiar with some of the other...

We lived in Anniston from 1966 to 1970 and came to know him. After we moved to Tuscaloosa,and when our daughter,Cassie started to Jr. High School, she neeed a flute to play in the band. We purchased one from Van at a very discounted price. She used it until She graduated from Homewood High in 1976. My niiece then used it for 4 years. After that my Granddaughter, Christy used it for 4 years until she graduated in 1984. We still have the flute. It is sad to learn of Van's death. But he lived...

I met Van and Lilla Hamilton in the fall of 1957 when he worked for the Anniston Forbes Music Company. He was a recent grad from Birmingham Southern and the Birmingham Conservatory of fine arts and Performing Arts. He was a Clarinet major.

After trying other dealers to help build a band program in Leeds,Alabama Vann came to my rescue. He sold quality instruments on a easy pay plan that parents could afford. As a result I was able to remain the band director for over 32 years at the...

I am saddened to hear of Mr. Hamilton's death. Mr. Hamilton was my first clarinet teacher at Woodstock Elementary school in 1954. Likewise, he taught my older brother in clarinet and my sister in flute. We will always remember him and his family with love and appreciation.

I met Mr Hamilton at one of our local Gold Wing Road Rider(GWRRA) get-togethers and was very impressed by his motorcycle stories from over the years. I very much admired him. He was a fine person and we Gold Wing Riders have lost a good man. I will miss him. May he rest in peace.