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HAMMER G. WILLIAM HAMMER (Age 92) Of Lexington, KY, formerly of Centreville, VA and husband of Imogene Murray Hammer, died September 17, 2015. He was born Dececember 5, 1922 in Wyandotte, MI to the late Reverends Ernest A. and Jane S. Higley. When he was three weeks old his family moved south to West Virginia and Ohio. He became a Great Lakes sailor and earned his Able Bodied Seaman's certificate in September 1942. He was drafted into the army March 1, 1943. His basic training was a combat engineer and transferred into the Army Corp in the Aviation Cadet program. In early 1944 the Air Corp terminated the program for all of those who transferred from other branches in the army. At that time he volunteered for the paratroops and received his wings in July 1944. He was sent overseas and served in the Philippine Islands and received an honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant March 10, 1946. He graduated from Edgewood High School in Ashtabula, Ohio in 1944. In the fall of 1947 he enrolled at Ball State University, Muncie, IN, on a pre-law curriculum. He graduated with BA honors in March 1950. While at Ball State he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and Sigma Zeta National Science Honorary. He was Ball State's nominee for a Rhoades Scholarship in 1950. In the fall of 1950 he entered George Washington Law School, Washington, DC and graduated with a JD degree with honors in May 1953. He served on the Student Board of Editors of the George Washington University Law Review and a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. He was admitted to the bar of District of Columbia in September 1953 and was admitted to the bar of the state of Virginia in February 1954. At that time he opened a law office in private practice in the City of Falls Church, VA. He served as prosecuting attorney for the City of Falls Church on a part-time basis from 1959 to 1961. He was appointed to a part-time judgeship in Falls Church in January 1969 and to a like position in Fairfax County on July 1, 1974. He was elected to a full-time judgeship to the 10th District Court in Virginia on July 1, 1976. He continued to serve in that capacity until he retired on July 1, 1985. While on the bench he authored an article on Preliminary Hearings in Virginia which was published in 1980. From 1981 to 1985 he served on the Committee on District Courts who set policy for the entire District Court system for the state. He was an avid model railroader and was a life member of the National Model Railroad Association. He served on several groups including the legal council from 1963 to 1976 and again from 1985 until 1998, the regional trustee for the Mid-East region on the National Board of Trustees, Eastern Vice President of the association from 1969 to 1971 and later as the Executive Vice President of the association. He was awarded the three highest awards from the association, the President's Award, Distinguished Service Award and the Honorary Life Member, the highest award and designated as a Master Model Railroader. Other interests included being a member of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans for over 50 years, Commander of the Robert E. Lee camp of the SCV in Alexandria, VA, Military Order of the Stars and Bars as commander of the Samuel Cooper chapter in Alexandria, VA. He is survived by a daughter, Jane Hammer of Lexington, KY from a previous marriage; Gene's son, Craig Smith (Hellie) from Paris, IL and daughter, Suzanne Adair (Ken) of Lexington, KY; and numerous nephews and nieces of Ashtabula County, OH. Funeral service will be 12 p.m. Wednesday, September 23 at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 463 E. Main St., Lexington, KY. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the G. William Memorial Scholarship Fund, Ball State University Foundation, PO Box 672, Muncie, IN 47308, account number 30095.Funeral service will be 12 p.m. Wednesday, September 23 at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 463 E. Main St., Lexington, KY. Burial will be in Lexington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the G. William Memorial Scholarship Fund, Ball State University Foundation, PO Box 672, Muncie, IN 47308, account number 30095.
2 Entries
On behalf of the NMRA, we mourn the loss of Bill Hammer, a classy guy and beloved member. Bill served in so many roles and was such a pleasure to know. He added much to our organization and we are all the richer for knowing him. Charlie Getz, NMRA President
Charles Getz
September 22, 2015
My first judge, back in 1981. Always patient, and always willing to assist new lawyers to learn the ropes.
A fine man, and I offer my condolences to his family.
Steve Moriarty
September 21, 2015
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Kerr Brothers Funeral Home - Main St.463 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40509
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