Beverly Jean Hamilton

Beverly Jean (Hartman) Hamilton, 91, long time resident of Madera, CA., passed peacefully on March 14, 2025.
Born in Fresno, California, she attended Roosevelt High School. After graduating, she married William "Bill" Hamilton, in 1951. One of her first jobs was at Woolworths Department Store. A few years later, she and Bill relocated to Yosemite National Park, where they lived in the small town of Wawona. During their time in Yosemite, she worked at the famous Wawona Hotel, which was within walking distance of the cabin they shared. She would speak often of the moment she met actor James Garner, who was in Yosemite filming the 1964 movie, 36 Hours.
Beverly and Bill relocated to Madera, CA., in 1964, when Bill accepted a job with the County of Madera. Many will remember Beverly from her time at the popular Sno-White Drive In, located on Yosemite Ave. It was here she met her best friend, Maybelle Whitmire. After spending the day working together, they would spend many more hours on the phone gossiping and giggling! One can imagine the joy of these two reuniting in Heaven! She also had the opportunity to meet actor Richard Kiel, who visited Sno-White on occasion. She was always too shy to ask for an autograph! After 15 years at Sno-White, she retired and became a homemaker. She spent much of her time enjoying and caring for her grandchildren, until illness left her unable to do so. She enjoyed reading, history, museums, movies, and music. Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers were among her favorites. She loved to listen to classical music, such as Bach, Beethoven and more and played the cello while in high school. Her hidden talent was her ability to sing. Few had the opportunity to hear her wonderful voice, her perfect pitch could rival the finest of opera singers!
Beverly loved traveling! Anytime, anywhere, she was always ready for adventure and enjoyed spending time outdoors. Some of her favorite places to visit were Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, Monterey, Hawaii, and the beautiful Sierra Nevada. She is known for her love of coffee, no one would dare deny her this little piece of earthly heaven!
Beverly is preceded in death by her husband, William A. Hamilton (2001), and son, Michael B. Hamilton (2023). Her parents, Peter Jr. and Lydia Hartman. Brothers, James L. Hartman, Clarence "Pete" Hartman and sister-in-law, Mary. Sisters, Elvera L. Ahlenslager and brother-in-law, Melvin. Virginia L. Notman, and brother-in-law Robert. Dona M. Pretzer, and brother-in-law, Lee.
She is survived by her children, Vicki Blair (David), Trina Hamilton, and Bill Hamilton (Karen). Nine grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren, all of whom she referred to as "Grandmas Sweet Babes". Brothers Gary A. Hartman, Daniel R. Hartman, and sister Catherine E. Austin, as well as many friends and extended family who will miss her dearly.
"But perhaps the beauty of life is not in what we keep, but in what we give, in the love we share, the kindness we leave behind, the lives we touch along the way"
Services will be held at Arbor Vitae Cemetery, Madera, CA. Private internment following at Mountain View Cemetery, in Fresno, CA. Date and time of service pending.