William Eugene Hamilton had a keen mind for economics, which according to family members, helped him earn a good living while finding ways to help others.
After working as an economist for more than three decades, Mr. Hamilton in his retirement voluntarily assisted seniors with tax forms. Over the years, he also served as an adviser to his grandsons in helping them manage their financial portfolios.
“It didn’t matter his age, whenever one of my sons had a financial question, the first person they’d turn to was their grandfather,” said Mr. Hamilton’s son, William Jr. “He was an intelligent man who loved sharing what he could with others.”
Mr. Hamilton, 89, a retired chief economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation and a World War II veteran, died Wednesday, July 28, in his Wheaton home, from cancer.
Born in Allerton, Iowa, Mr. Hamilton spent his early childhood on his parents’ farm. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Iowa State University, where he also took courses toward a master’s degree.
After college, Mr. Hamilton worked as an economist with the American Farm Bureau in Washington, prior to joining the Navy as a lieutenant during World War II. He served in the Philippines as a communications officer, helping the Marines gain control of the islands from the Japanese.
“He was one of the lucky ones,” said his son. “By the time he and his shipmates arrived in the Philippines, the islands had been pretty much secured by the Marines.”
In 1941, Mr. Hamilton married his wife, Arlene. After the war, he returned to Washington, D.C., where he resumed his duties at the American Farm Bureau.
In 1950 he was transferred to the bureau’s Chicago offices, where he worked for a time in the Merchandise Mart as the director of research. He settled with his family in Wheaton and later was a member of the city’s Planning Commission.
After his retirement in 1980, Mr. Hamilton was a volunteer with the IRS tax preparation program for senior citizens, often preparing very complex returns.
“He served a valuable role for many seniors because he really understood the IRS rules and regulations,” said his son.
At age 80, Mr. Hamilton took a computer course and bought his first computer, which he went on to upgrade several times.
“He never shied away from learning new technology and was always interested in learning something new,” said his son.
Over the years, family members said Mr. Hamilton took great joy in sharing his knowledge of the stock market with those who turned to him for advice.
“He was happy just spending time with those he cared about,” said his son. “He was a shining example of what a loving father and friend should be.”
Mr. Hamilton was an active member of Gary Memorial United Methodist Church for more than 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon Hamilton Nolte. Besides his wife and son, Mr. Hamilton is survived by a sister, Mildred Lindquist, and two grandsons.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel at Gary Memorial United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton.
