Austin Jay Hammer

Austin Jay Hammer, 15, of Billings, died on Jan. 18, 2006, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings.
He was born to Earnie and Myrna Hammer, entering this world as a small, 4-pound baby, on Feb. 8, 1990, in Bozeman.
Austin spent the first five years of his life in Bozeman. His life was a constant adventure with miracle after miracle. As a 4-year-old, he was rescued from the Gallatin River, where he was attempting to load his pressure-soaker water gun. He later moved to West Yellowstone in 1995, where he enjoyed many years of the outdoors, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, four-wheeling and motorcycling (narrowly escaping a run-in with a mother grizzly bear and her cub. He thought chasing a baby cub was great fun until his father noticed the mother close behind).
Austin moved with his family to Billings in 2000, where he continued his love of four-wheeling and motorcycling. He grew to love hunting and many adventures at the Burnett Ranch in Luther. His buffalo hunts with his dad were the BEST.
Being the class clown was Austin's forte. He loved a good laugh. He had a love for drawing and his talent can be found on many walls throughout his home. Boy Scouting was a big part of his life, with him just beginning his efforts on his Eagle Scout Project. He loved going to all the summer scout camps and would help out at the Cub Scout Day Camps as a Junior Leader.
Austin was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and attended Seminary class each day at 6:30 a.m.
His siblings will greatly miss their close association with their brother. His parents find peace knowing that he is in God's hands and look forward to the day that they will be reunited as a family.
Austin is survived by his parents; his siblings, Danielle of Denver, Michelle (Owen Hoffman) of Billings, Benjamin of San Diego, Kaycee, Kory and Jared of the family home; his maternal grandmother, Thelma Smith of Highland, Utah; his paternal grandmother, Janice Hammer of Providence, Utah; and great-grandparents, Dale and Zelta Nebeker of Annabella, Utah, and Bert Gool of Pearland, Texas; and numberless cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
Memorial contributions can be made in Austin's name at the Stockman Bank, Heights Office, 800 Main St., PO Box 50850, Billings, MT 59105.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the LDS Church, 1640 Broadmoor Drive. Interment will be in Whaley Cemetery in Shell, Wyo. Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.