William F. Hamner

William F. Hamner died January 1, 2016 in Raleigh. He was born in Pharr, Texas, on September 25, 1922, grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated from Centenary College. He served in the Navy as captain of a sub-chaser out of Pearl Harbor during the last of WWII. He married his wife Jane in 1949. After earning a doctorate from the University of Texas he worked for Monsanto Chemical Company in Texas City, Texas, during the development of Astroturf, and then worked in research at RTP after Monsanto acquired Chemstrand, which was the first facility in the Park.

After retirement, he spent 11 years with NC Hazardous Waste Program as head of the Permitting Branch and many happy years preparing tax returns at H&R Block.

Bill enjoyed work with Boy Scouts when his sons were young; he also found satisfaction serving as an elder at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Jane; his four children, William F. of Raleigh, Dr. Mark B. Hamner and wife, Susan, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Claire Roden and husband, Greg, of Eden Prairie, MN, and Dr. Gail Hamner and husband, Dr. Dan Bingham, of Syracuse, NY; and ten grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 4921 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, on Saturday, January 9, 2016.

Memorials may be made to Hudson or to the charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be sent through: www.brownwynne.com