Louis Arthur Hamilton Jr.

As a young teen Louie loved to build model airplanes, and he would fly them at the field that would eventually become Miami International Airport. He also worked to help his family through those difficult times. During World War II Louie enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a crew chief on various aircraft including his favorites, the P-51 and the B-17.

After the war, Louie moved back to Miami where he met and married Lucy. During their many years in Miami, they were members of Central Baptist Church, Miami Springs Baptist Church, Wayside Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Perrine, and South Miami Baptist Church. Louie served several terms as a deacon at his church.

Louie loved children, and he and Lucy worked side-by-side for many years as sixth-grade Sunday School teachers. Louie also served as both a Cubmaster and a Scoutmaster, fully embodying the traditions of scouting. Always eager to interact with children at their level, he annually delighted the neighborhood children with his elaborate Christmas displays, including a “talking” snowman he made whose real conversations both amused and mystified the children.

Louie was a fun-lover who enjoyed boating, roller-skating, water-skiing, and bowling. Most of all he enjoyed the many trips he and Lucy took all over the world. Louie could build almost anything he could imagine, whether it was a garden whirlygig for the grandkids, a sailboat, a greenhouse, or even a concrete swimming pool. He had a remarkable knack for gardening and was known for being able to root a stick. But he especially loved working in his wood shop making gifts for his family and friends.

Louie retired in 1981 after 34 years of service with Southern Bell. During his career he was responsible for supervising all installation services at Miami International Airport, including communications services for the first computing center at Eastern Airlines' Miami headquarters. He was privileged to serve several Presidents of the United States whenever Air Force Once landed at Miami International Airport. After his retirement, Louie pursued his many hobbies and volunteered his handyman services to those in his church.

Louie and Lucy moved to the Atlanta area in 1993 and immediately joined Dunwoody Baptist Church where they remained enthusiastic members of the Joy Sunday School class.

Louie is survived by his and Lucy's children, Don and Drue Hamilton of Niceville, Florida and Michael and Eileen Hamilton Pacetti of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Louie and Lucy were blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Troy and Beth Hamilton and their children, Grace and Timothy; Ernest and Tiffany Hamilton Clark and their children, Catherine, Ben, and Anastasia; Andrew and Aileen Pacetti and their children, Nathaniel and Emmeline; Lani Pacetti; Trent and Erin Hamilton and their children, Joshua, Caroline, and Annabelle; Daniel Pacetti; Timothy Hamilton; Thomas and Julie Hamilton. Louie is also survived by two of his dear sisters, Margaret Hamilton Hostutler Boever and Carolyn Hamilton Phelps, and many nieces and nephews.

Reverend Jack Hudson and Reverend Daniel Pacetti, Louie's grandson, will officiate at the service in the Dunwoody Baptist Church chapel at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 17. The family will receive visitors in the chapel foyer at 10:00 A.M. before the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Georgia or Florida Baptist Children's Homes.