Wesley Ray Hamilton

Wesley Ray Hamilton was born in Oklahoma City, OK, to Walter and Lessie (Farmer) Hamilton on July 16, 1929, and left his earthly body in the early hours of Saturday, August 9, 2025, under hospice care at Elk Crossing Nursing Home in Duncan.
Wes was the youngest of 11 children, and grew up during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl when just having enough food, along with clothing, and shelter was considered a luxury. Wes learned the meaning of hard work very early on, beginning with delivering newspapers at age 9, then washing dishes and peeling potatoes in a restaurant where he was so small he had to stand on a crate in order to reach the sink. By the time Wes was 13, World War II had begun, and all of his older brothers were called into the service. It was at that time that Wes and his brother, Fred, left school to work in stone masonry-Fred as an apprentice, and Wes carrying bricks and water to the bricklayers. His mother was unaware for quite a while that Wes was going in the front door of Capital Hill School (across the street from their residence) and right out the back door to a job that would help to pay their monthly rent. The Salvation Army always held a special place in Wes' heart, because without their help life would have been even more difficult. Wes said many times, "We would've starved to death without the help of the Salvation Army." He even played the trumpet for the Salvation Army when he was a youth.
Wes always regretted not being able to finish his education, but he became self-taught by reading every single thing he got his hands on. Before moving to assisted living in 2018, Wes owned every issue of "National Geographic" magazine and had read them all from cover to cover, the majority of them more than once. His well-lived life is a picture-perfect postcard of the true American Dream, attesting to the fact that with a lot of hard work accompanied by determination, absolutely anyone can become successful in this great land of opportunity. After moving to Duncan in 1951, he became a homebuilder, building over 1000 homes in the Duncan area, plus several duplex apartment complexes, storage buildings, commercial warehouses, and the favorite childhood memory of almost every Stephens County Baby Boomer -Duncan's own legendary "Twilight Beach" (1959-71). In addition, Wes developed subdivisions, owned service stations, sold/installed CB radios, became a licensed Realtor, and founded Wes Hamilton Appraisal Co. Wes considered a strong handshake a solemn oath and felt it was just as binding as any rock-solid contract.
Wes married Shirley (Gallander) Goodman on February 1, 1976. They had been married for over 48 years, when Shirley passed away on July 17, 2024. Together, the tow of them made quite a beautiful and wonderful team with Wes' devotion to craftsmanship and Shirley's natural talent of inte3rior decorating. They were totally devoted to each other unconditionally, and each of them was left incomplete without the other.
Wes was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley; his parents; his 6 Hamilton siblings, brothers: Jim and Les Baggett; sister, Nelly; son, Donnie Ray Hamilton; stepson, Karl Goodman; and sister-in-law, Joy Hamilton Foster.
He is survived by his daughter, Patty Gregston; stepson, Kelby Goodman (Mary Jane); grandchildren: Bobby Dixon, Shelley Pack (Chris), Kacey Goodman (Krystal); great-grandchildren: Aaron Tyler (Kristen), Alex Pack, Karson Goodman, Kelsey Goodman; great-great-grandson, Balin Tyler; sister, Clydene West; as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, and fellow members of New Hope Baptist Church.
A combination Celebration of Life will be held for both Wes and Shirley on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at the Duncan Municipal Cemetery with their dear friend of many years, Rev. Randy Southerland, officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home.
************************************************************************************
Shirley was born to Elbert and Doris Gallander in Beeville, Texas, on June 30, 1934. Her spirit was returned back to our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from Oklahoma City after a sudden illness. She was the eighth and last remaining of 9 children. Her siblings were Ruth, Myra, Ila, Marie, Dorothy, Clara, Doc, and Sheila. She moved to Duncan, Oklahoma, in 1953 and lived there for most of her life. On February 1, 1976, she married Wes Hamilton. Wes was fully dedicated to her happiness for over 48 years. They were members of New Hope Baptist Church in Duncan for many decades. Shirley worked in insurance, real estate, and co-owned Hamilton Appraisal Company before retiring in 1992 to Lake Bob Sandlin, Pittsburg, Texas. After 5 years of lake life, they returned to Duncan. During the next 20 years, she and Wes enjoyed RVing all over the USA. In 2018, they moved to the Oklahoma City area.
Shirley was the mother of 2 sons: Richard Kelby Goodman of Guthrie, Oklahoma, and Karl Dean Goodman, who was tragically killed in an oil field accident in 1981; 2 step-children: Patty Gregston of Duncan, and Don Hamilton, who passed away in 1990. She was the proud grandmother of 3 grandchildren: Bobby Dixon, Shelley Pack and husband Chris, Kacey Goodman and wife Krystal; great-grandchildren: Aaron Tyler and wife Kelsey Goodman; and one great-great-grandson, Balin Tyler.
Shirley enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, all games-especially canasta (never cutting an opponent a break, even if it was the youngest of her beloved grandchildren). She taught quilting classes at Deb's Sew Biz in Duncan for several years. She was extraordinarily talented in flower arranging, interior decorating, painting, ceramics, and stained-glass designing. She had a special knack for making all things beautiful. But her favorite "activity" of all was coordinating large family events that always involved over-the-top food prepared from scratch and unique, unforgettable activities. She never met a stranger and enjoyed many lifelong friendships from their extensive travels throughout the country.
Shirley and Wes made many trips to the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, going over the roughest, scariest jeep trails while taking in the incredible autumn aspen views. Shirley always brought along the humongous old wicker picnic basket fully stocked with every homemade goodie known to man. They also enjoyed boating and water-skiing and taught countless young (and a few not-so-young) people how to ski and to love the water just as much as they did. Their succeeding generations have continued with that tradition instilling in their own children appreciation for the beauty of all God's creation. The Hamiltons enjoyed every minute of their lives together. She will be sorely missed by all, but forever in our hearts.
She is survived by her children: Richard and wife Mary Jane Goodman, Patty Gregston; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandson; many friends, neighbors, fellow church members, and 10 nieces and nephews plus their spouses whom she adored with all of her heart.
A combination Celebration of Life will be held for both Wes and Shirley on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at the Duncan Municipal Cemetery with their dear friend of many years, Rev. Randy Southerland, officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home.