William Hamilton Obituary

William B. “Ben” Hamilton, age 77, of Havertown, PA, passed away on May 16, 2022.   Born in Camden, NJ, he was the son of the late William B. and Anne Hamilton (nee Messler).

Ben served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and served as the Chaplain’s Assistant in 1967-1968.   He helped to establish an orphanage while serving in Vietnam. 

He had been employed as a General Manager in the automotive industry for many years.

Ben was a protector and hard worker his whole life, but always made time to spend with his children, wife and family.  He spent many summers with family in Island Heights, NJ soaking up the sun. 

Ben was a jokester, an avid reader, a horticulturalist and a photographer.   He enjoyed listening to all Philadelphia sports on the radio.

When Ben called you babe, he cared about you and you were his friend.  To many, he was known as Ben, Father Ben, Cadillac Ben, Gentle Ben, Big Ben and “BABE”. 

“Keep bobbin’ and weavin’ babe, enjoy a nice Dewar’s and water.”

Ben is survived by his beloved wife, Michele M. Hamilton (nee Brancato) and his loving children Melissa A. Hamilton-Pumphrey (Louis), William B. Hamilton III (Elyse), Michael A. Hamilton (Beth) and Rebecca M. Hamilton-Torres (Timothy).  Dear grandfather of Owen, Bridget, Mikayla, Gus, Finn and Ella.   Also survived by his brothers, Richard Hamilton (Mary) and David Hamilton (Catharine), his sister-in-law Mary Lou Robertson, his nieces Gabrielle Robertson-Cawley and Kimberly Hamilton and his nephew Drew Robertson.   He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Joe Robertson.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit the family on Monday, May 23, 2022 9:00-11:30 AM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike (cor. Lynn Blvd.), Upper Darby, PA (610) 449-0300 and to his Funeral Service at 11:30 AM.  Military Honors will follow the Funeral Service.   Interment private. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ben’s memory to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th & Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104 or to the Greater Autism Society of Philadelphia, PA, P.O. Box 60159, King of Prussia, PA 19406 would be appreciated.