Retired Master Sargent William (Bill) Leon Hamm, 91 passed away peacefully at home with the love of family and his kitties by his side on September 12, 2025. He was born June 22, 1934, in Greenville, Mo.

As a youngster (as he would say) he worked on the Mississippi River prior to joining the United States Marine Corp in 1953 where he faithfully and honorably served his country for 22 years. He served in Japan, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Korea, Vietnam, the Mediterranean, Illinois, and Camp LeJeune. After retiring from the Marine Corp in 1975 he returned to his little hometown of Commerce, Mo. for short period of time before deciding to return to North Carolina to court a little red headed beauty that would later become his wife.

He worked for Uniflite/Chris Craft in Swansboro, NC, Humphrey Mechanical in Jacksonville, NC until taking the position as Corporate Treasure at North State Mechanical in which he held until his final day.

He was a loving husband, dad & Pop to his wife, children and grandkids. He always had a story to share about his childhood, years in the service or telling his grandkids how cows in Mo. had legs shorter on one side than the other so the could stand on the mountain and snickers bars could always be found in his special drawer. He loved his family, spending time with his kitties Patches, Sparky and Mabel, fishing, antique bottle hunting, coin collecting, feeding the birds, squirrels and all the stray cats. Every year he looked forward to his week long gambling trip to Tunica, MS and Cape Girardeau, MO taking family members to share in his fun and visit his home place.

He is preceded in death by his wife Joyce (Faye) Hamm, mother Ruby Zoa Wright Hamm, step father Cleo Wright, daughters Tamara Burnette and Patrica Hamm, brothers Dale Hamm and Jerry Wright and sister Mary Lou Anderson.

He is survived by his daughters Donna Bell (David) of Hubert, Shelia Longo (Paul) of  Chocowinity, and Sharon Burns (Richard) of Swansboro. Grandkids Paul Jason, Jeremy, Kyle, Ryan, Tanisha, Kalee, Ashley, Josh, Courtney and Mallory as well as 16 great grandkids, brothers Ronnie Wright and Kenny Wright and sisters Betty Mabrey and Janice Margrabe all of Commerce, Mo.  A special friend Glen (Little Buddy) Simpson, a special nephew Donnie Dail (Valerie) and many more nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors from 6-8pm on Thursday September 18, 2025, at Jones Funeral in Jacksonville. A service will be held on Friday September 19, 2025, at 1 pm at Jones Funeral Home Chapel with a Graveside Service with military honors to follow at 2pm at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family ask the donations be made in his memory to

Adoption First Animal Rescue 114 Enterprise St. Jacksonville, NC 28539

Website:www.adoptionfirstanimalrescue.com

All donations are tax deductible