Ronald D Hammond

Ronald Dwight Hammond 75 of Willard, MO passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 13, 2022, at 3:37 am with his wife Sandy at his bedside. He was unable to recover from a recent surgery, and also suffered from Alzheimer's Disease.
Ron was born on Nov. 2, 1947, in Lincoln, Nebraska to Dwight and Elaine (Allen) Hammond. He was the oldest of 4 boys. Ron attended Fordland High School where he excelled in sports. He loved to play basketball and baseball. He graduated High School in 1965 and then attended MO Rolla S & T. Ron worked briefly at McDonald Aircraft in St. Louis, MO before being drafted. He chose to go into the Navy and soon knew he would make it his career. Ron served aboard the USS Lewis & Clark SSBN644 and the USS Mariano G. Vallejo SSBN658. He used to say he loved the brightness of the sun and rooms full of windows because he had made enough patrols aboard the submarines to add up to 5 years beneath the water. He was a very proud man and loved serving in the military for the United States and for the freedom he helped preserve. Ron made many friends in the Navy, some he often referred to as family. He always said he had a family at home and a family at sea.
In 1968 he married Carol (Clevenger) Hammond and together they had 2 children. He retired from the US Navy in 1989 having served on the submarines and as a Naval Recruiter. Ron then went to work for the US Postal Service as a City Mail Carrier. He loved the job of delivering mail to his customers on a daily basis. He made many friends on his routes over the years.
In 2011 Ron married Sandra (Nelson) Hammond and became a stepfather to her 3 children. He retired from the US Postal Service in 2012 after 21 years of service due to a serious health condition.
Ron's greatest joys in life were his family and his hobbies of fishing and playing golf. It was normal for Ron to play multiple rounds of golf in the same day and finishing the day out on the driving range. He also had a love of being outside in his yard and taking care of his many rose bushes. He could sit outside for hours all summer admiring the blooms of red, pink, and yellow that would continue to bloom from spring to fall. His other favorite pastime was going to Buffalo Run 3-4 times a year and "donating" some money to the slot machines. He loved the music on the slots and would dance in the seat even if he just won a few pennies or quarters.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Keith Hammond and more recently his youngest brother Mick Hammond.
He is survived by his wife Sandy of the home, son Douglas (Stacey) Hammond Nixa, MO, daughter Kelly Herren (former husband Brad) Nixa, MO, his stepchildren, Leah (Cameron) Wilken Kansas City, MO, Haley McKinney St. Louis, MO, Kyle (linsey) McKinney Republic, MO, brother Jerry (Mary Ann) Hammond Nixa, MO. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Paden Hammond, Jacob Herren, Ethan Herren, Knox Wilken, Aurora McKinney and Liliegh McKinney, a sister-in-law Debi Hammond, nephew Eric (Brenda) Hammond, nieces Sarah Scott, Janell Franks, Alicia Hammond, and a very special cousin Kate (Bob) Mertsinger, and cousins David Wilson and Chris Wilson.
Ron will be missed by so many other special friends from his past workplaces and friends he frequently played golf with through the years. He will be missed by many others who knew him. To know Ron was to love Ron.
A special thanks to Dr. Laurance Rhines and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX for performing a surgery that gave us 10 additional years with Ronald. Special thanks to these wonderful women who helped care for Ron so that he could stay at his home: Lottie, Donita, Amy, Krystie, Lynzi and Jen. Thank you also to Good Shepard Hospice in Springfield, MO.
A Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, Nov 17, 2022, from 10-11am at Meadors Funeral Home in Republic, Funeral services will follow at 11 with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Billings. Donations in Ron's name can be made to C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue (1328-A W. Sunshine Springfield, MO 65807). He loved all animals and hated knowing when one would suffer. His final wish was to be buried with his cherished dog Ernie's ashes. They will be placed with him.