Robert James "Jim" Hamill

Robert James "Jim" Hamill was a man who had his priorities firmly in place and lived according to his convictions. Intelligent and naturally curious, he enjoyed figuring out how things worked and ways to improve them. His family always came first and he consistently lived out his faith, demonstrating what it meant to be a man of honor and love. While the world was still healing from the devastation of World War I, Ret and Emily (Harrison) Hamill were busy raising their five children in Shelby, Michigan. Ret worked as a Civil Engineer and Emily had her hands full managing their bustling household. Early in 1921, they learned that one more member would be joining their family and on November 6, little Jim arrived. His closest sibling in age was nine years older than he, and Jim had several people looking out for him as he grew. In 1929, the world was sent into an economic tailspin when the U.S. stock market crashed, and the Hamill family did not escape its effects. When Jim was nine years old, they moved to Queens in New York where Jim's father found work as an electrician. Although moving was difficult, Jim made wonderful friends in the neighborhood, joining the gang whenever he could for stickball in the streets. There was no better place for a baseball fan than New York, and the boys dreamed of playing like DiMaggio, Ruth, and Gehrig. Those were some great times and many of those chums remained his friends for years. After graduating from high school, Jim applied for a job and in the process was required to take a physical. Doctors discovered that Jim had a highly contagious disease, tuberculosis. It was thought that fresh air and plenty of rest would help TB patients, and as a result the City of New York Municipal Sanatorium at Otisville was founded, about ninety miles from Manhattan. Treatment at the time frequently included quarantine, and Jim was sent to the Otisville facility where he lived for a year and a half. After leaving the sanatorium, Jim attended New York University for two years and then returned to Oceana County, Michigan, in 1942 in order to help with his family's fruit farm. When Jim was twenty-eight, his life took another turn and brought him an amazing gift. His older sister Grace had a friend with an eighteen-year-old daughter named Margaret Bedgood. Jim agreed to go on a blind date with Margaret and the two of them hit it off right away. They shared a common faith that provided them with strong roots for their values and ideals. They fell in love and exchanged vows on August 25, 1951. Over the next fifty-five years, Jim and Margaret shared all of the trials and blessings that God sent their way. They established their home in Muskegon and later in Norton Shores, taking in several cats and dogs and raising their five children with their faith and values foremost in mind. Each child held a special place in Jim's heart and Marilyn, Robert, Douglas, Jeffrey, and Ronald grew up with the stability of their parents' faith and the assurance of their father's unconditional love. Jim planned his vacations around the kids' schedules and enjoyed taking them to Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula. Margaret called their trips "Poor Man Vacations" since they usually stayed in housekeeping cottages and never spent more than fourteen dollars a night. The accommodations didn't matter, though; the family loved being together. Jim believed that community involvement was important and he made sure that the family attended church regularly. He enjoyed being with people and once joined the church's bowling team. He retained his love of baseball from those grand days in New York and participated in the local leagues in Shelby. Jim provided for the family by working as a chemist at Teledyne Continental Motors in Muskegon for thirty-one years where he retired in 1981. He also enjoyed working with his hands and was mechanically inclined. He often experimented with machines and engines and was granted a patent on his adaptations to a piece of farm equipment. He developed ideas for improvements on a certain wrench and a type of rotary engine. After retirement, Margaret and Jim built a retirement home on Stony Lake near New Era, Michigan. They ordered a kit and constructed the home with their own hands, completing it in sections as the supplies arrived. They moved to Laketon Township in 2003. Jim has not left his family and friends empty handed. He gave them many gifts during his lifetime, not the least of which were his example of steadfast faith and his unshakable commitment to family. His influence will continue to light the way for those who follow in his steps. Jim went home to be with his Father on Tuesday, August 15, 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ret O. and Emily E. Hamill of Shelby; two brothers, John Harrison Hamill and Grant Raymond Hamill; and three sisters, Audrey Vere Cooper, Rita Mae Hipkiss, and Freda Grace Larson. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children, Marilyn of Grand Rapids, Robert J. Jr. of Muskegon, Douglas of Muskegon, Jeffrey (Vicki) of Fremont, and Ronald (Holly) of Shelby; seven grandchildren, Melissa (Shawn) Lohman, Kimberly Theodore, Christina (Robert) Wistler, Derek Hamill, Krystal Hamill, Sarah Hamill, and Ryan Hamill. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 18, at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon with Rev. Scott Van Arendonk officiating. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions to VNS Hospice House are appreciated. Please visit Jim's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory, sign the online guest book, or watch his Life Story film.