Donald Lee Hamilton

Passed away at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the age of 81. Donald was born in Detroit the son of Walter and Vera ( nee Guilstorf ) Hamilton on July 15, 1933. He attended Detroit Public Schools graduating from Western High School. In March of 1952, Don enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in Korean waters onboard the hospital ship, USS Repose as a boilerman. After returning to civilian life, he met, in 1957, Joyce A. Mahrley who in 1958 became his wife. Together they shared a marriage of 56 years. After Don's naval experience, he worked for the Detroit Public Schools as a boiler operator. Later, he joined Ford Motor where he too was involved in boiler operations at the Rouge Power House. He worked for over thirty years for Ford. In his spare time, Don enjoyed playing softball on various men's teams. Bowling, playing golf, doing the crossword puzzle over a good cup of coffee and reading were other interests he held. Don was also a huge fan of the Tigers and Red Wings. But being with family and friends at the kitchen table, enjoying their company with good conversation or playing cards, was tops on his list. Donald is survived by his wife Joyce and their children, Susan ( Donald ) McVittie, Denise ( Daniel ) Parks, Mark Hamilton and David ( Teri ) Hamilton. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Amber, Mahrley ( Jesse ), Beth Ann, David, Austin, Andrew, Tyler and Joseph and, his two siblings, Walter Hamilton and Christine Whitaker. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 1 pm until 9 pm at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth where funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday at 11 am with the Reverend Linda Golden of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Livonia officiating. Don will be laid to rest at Glen Eden Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions are suggested to the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, 1C439 University Hospital, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5033