William Arthur Hamson

William Arthur Hamson, age 97, passed away on February 16, 2018 at NHC National Health Care, Parklane in Columbia, SC.

Bill was born on June 18, 1920 in Needham, Massachusetts to William and Margaret Whetstone Hamson.  He attended Boston School of Graphic Design until, at age 18, he joined the Army Air Corp (AAC).  During WWII, he was a Gunnery Training Photographer stationed at the AAC base in Columbia, SC.  Many of his photographs are part of a WWII historical display at the Richland County Library. 

While serving in the AAC, he met Mary Elinor Awtrey.  He fell in love with her (and her mother’s fried chicken) and they married on May 21, 1944.   Bill was First Vice President and General Manager of Columbia Lumber Company until his retirement.   He was strong willed and self determined, educating himself throughout the years. He enjoyed many things including designing and building their first home on Sunset Blvd in West Columbia, hand tinting photographs before the advent of color film, sitting with Mary on the porch of their home on Shull Street, and serving as choir director at Mt. Tabor and Faith Lutheran Churches in West Columbia.   He and Mary often presented music programs at local nursing homes…she played piano while he sang. They traveled in the US and abroad, and while Bill was still driving his car (the pleasure he valued most), he and Mary often enjoyed daily lunches or dinners together at Rush’s on Sunset Blvd. where they met many friends.

Above all else, Bill cherished Mary, his wife and partner for 73 years.  He loved his children and grandchildren and reveled in their professional accomplishments and dedication to their spiritual lives.  He had a strong personal faith in God exemplified through his dedication to family, church, and community.

In addition to his wife, Mary, he is survived by daughters Carol Whittaker (Don) of West Columbia; Virginia Hamson, of Lexington; Marilynn Bellmann (Charlie) of Charlotte, NC, and Barbara Kinney (Steven)  of Duncan, SC; and son, David (Nancy) of Eutawville, SC; 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his nephew, Arthur Worringham of Denmark, Maine.

Memorial Services will be held 11 am, Monday, February 19, 2018, at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 10 am. Memorials may be made to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church Music Program, 1000 B Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29169 or to a charity of choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Arthur Hamson, please visit our floral store.