George Franklin Hamilton Sr.

HAMILTON, George Franklin Sr., 86, World War II Veteran, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, Va. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Marjorie Broache Hamilton. He was a loving and devoted father to four children, Brenda Hamilton Hynson of King George, Sylvia Hamilton Hutt, Deborah Hamilton Hutt and her husband, Michael L. Hutt, all of Hanover County, George Franklin Hamilton Jr. and his wife, Nancy, of Warsaw; honorary daughter, Regina Moriarty of King George; grandchildren, Mark Edward Hynson and his wife, Billie Jo of Montross, Jessica Hamilton Hutt and Michael Hamilton Hutt, both of Hanover County, Lauren Hamilton Scates and her husband, John, George Franklin Hamilton III and Katelin Marie Hamilton, all of Warsaw; great-grandchildren, Owen Wilson Hynson and Von Hamilton Hynson of Montross, Riley Scates of Warsaw; and stepgranddaughter, Mandy Bean and her children, Kyle, Skylar, Isabelle and Marley; and many other loving relatives and loyal friends. He served as a "Sherman M4" tank driver in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945 with the 66th Regiment of the 2nd Armored Division known as "Hell on Wheels". He participated in the North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Northern Europe and the Ardennes campaigns. He received the Purple Heart for serious wounds received during the battle for Elbeuf, France. Although he could have returned to the States after recovering from his wounds, Mr. Hamilton returned to his regiment saying he wanted to "see the war through with friends and comrades still there". He returned to his unit just as they were deployed to the Ardennes to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. In 1945, his tank company D, was selected to be part of Task Force Warren, a special unit that was sent behind enemy lines to capture a strategic pass in the Teutoburger Forest during the attack march across Germany to capture Berlin. Mr. Hamilton had resided in Westmoreland County since 1959, where he was employed at Ingleside Plantation Nurseries as a herdsman and a nurseryman for 26 years. For 40 years, he managed the Leedstown Campground and enthusiastically enjoyed building friendships with the campers. He dearly loved the peacefulness and beauty of the campground where he was devoted to flying the American flag which made the scene complete. His efforts in conserving the grounds and the Rappahannock River added to the fulfillment of his life. Mr. Hamilton was an avid outdoorsman and deer hunter. He loved traveling with his family and returned to Europe on several vacations to retrace and share his experiences in the 2nd Armored Division. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2008 at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Oak Grove, Va. Rev. Willard Bowen and Rev. Danny Maupin will officiate. Family will receive friends at the Welch Funeral Home, Montross, Va. on Sunday, December 28, 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oak Grove Fire Department, P.O. Box 159, Colonial Beach, Va. 22443 and the Colonial Beach Rescue Squad, 225 Dennison St., Colonial Beach, Va. 22443.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.