Obituary - Roy V. Hamilton

Roy V. Hamilton was born in Philipsburg, Montana, in April 1917 to Andrew and Selma Hamilton.

After Selma died in the influenza epidemic, Andrew married Ragnhilde, and Roy eventually became big brother to Hazel, Cart, deceased, and Helen, deceased.

After graduating from Granite County High School, he studied mining engineering at the Montana School of Mines in Butte for two years and worked in mining for much of his career. Initially a sergeant in the Army Corps of Engineers 343rd Regiment, he earned a battlefield commission, which he attributed to organizing his men to pull General Eisenhower's stuck Cadillac to safety. He earned the Soldier's Medal for saving one of his men, a nonswimmer who had been knocked off the bridge they were building over the raging Voltorno River near Naples.

After the war, he married Rose, with whom he shared 56 years until her death in 2001. He was father to Kell, deceased, Shelley and Brett.

He was metallurgist, construction superintendent and assistant manager of the Trout Mining Company in Philipsburg. After the mill suffered a disastrous fire, he attained national attention by rebuilding the plant in only two weeks. Along with other community members, the Philipsburg Town Park was established under his supervision. Later, he was the Water, Sewer and Street Commissioner for Philipsburg and led the effort to turn the town cemetery into the gem it is now, serving as its sexton.  

He was a member of Flint Creek #11 F.A.A.M.  

He spent his last years happily at the Granite County Nursing Home, holding court to his coffee-mates and relating his extensive knowledge of mining and Granite County to anyone interested.

He is survived by his daughter, Shelley (Muriel Friedman) of Polson and Palm Springs, California; his son, Brett (Marianne) Hamilton of Philipsburg, formerly of Havre; his sister, Hazel Cook, formerly of Potomac; stepgrandchildren, Cassie (Wayne) Machler and Drew Bracken; special friends, Susan and Gary Sundstrom; sister-in-law, Patricia Hamilton of Missoula; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rose; his son, Kell; his brother, Clarence Hamilton; his sister, Helen Schmidt; brothers-in-law, Bailey Schmidt and Leonard Cook; and his nephews, Dan Hamilton, Larry Cook and Loren Cook.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at 11 a.m. at the Granite County Museum with interment and military honors following at the Philipsburg Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Granite County Medical Foundation, Box 401, Philipsburg, MT 59858.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home was entrusted with Roy's funeral arrangements.

You may pay your condolences at http://www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com