Bill Hamby

On June 19, 2015 William “Bill” Reuben Hamby, Jr. entered into eternal life surrounded by his loving family. He loved the Lord, our country, his family, the oil and gas industry and the University of Alabama.

Bill was born on a cold morning January 17, 1929 in the front bedroom of his family farmhouse in Lebanon community, Tallapoosa County, Alabama. He was the first child of William R. Hamby, Sr. and Hollon Patterson Easterwood Hamby. He graduated from Tallapoosa County High School in May 1946. He attended summer school at the University of Alabama in 1946, and in order to finance his education he convinced his mother to sign papers so he could join the Army at the age of 17. He was with the 7th Infantry Division in Korea, November 1946-February 1948. Bill returned to the University of Alabama in the summer of 1948 in pursuit of a degree in petroleum engineering. He married Susan Howard Dunn on August 27, 1950. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Corp of Engineers in 1951. He graduated from the University of Alabama on Feb. 2, 1952 and he was called to active duty at Ft. Belvoir and in Southern France in April 1952 and remained on active duty until March 1954.

Bill started his 60 year career in the oil and gas industry with Phillips Petroleum Company. He then worked for Union Carbide/Ashland Oil. He later formed Hamby Consultant, Inc. and, as a consultant, he worked for TransOcean/CMI until his retirement in 2012. His work took him throughout the United States, Poland, Scotland, China and Russia.

Bill was blessed after his first wife died to marry Mary Frances Griffin on April 9, 1994.

His 50 year membership at his beloved Tallowood Baptist Church offered him opportunities for service, spiritual growth and fellowship. He was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and girls’ softball coach. He was a leader in the international ministries and enjoyed the friendship and brotherhood of Christians from all over the world.

He loved the outdoors, whether it was hunting, playing golf, sitting on the back porch on his swing, or fishing at his lake house in the East Texas woods. He loved reading, especially about the Civil War.

Bill was predeceased by: his wife Susan; his daughter Marsha Lynn Hamby; his great granddaughter Providence Joy Boedeker; and his sisters, Mavis Easterwood Schwab, Sarah Jane Easterwood, Celia Imogene Easterwood, Shirley Ann Hamby and Joan Hamby Borders; and his brother James Hugh Easterwood.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Mary, his daughters Becky Hamby Pate (Ron) of Corrales, NM, Debbie Hamby Boedeker (Paul) of Houston, Kathy (Debbie Stratton) Griffin of Houston, and Meghan Griffin Norton (Ben) of Roswell, GA.

He delighted in his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ryan Pate (Jolyn), Eric Pate (Gabi), Philip Boedeker (Elissa), Peter Boedeker, Holly & Sam Pate, Liam & Ansley Pate, Ella Frances & Griffin Norton, Parker Boedeker and, soon to arrive, Preston Boedeker. He also leaves behind many good friends and relatives including: Dugie Herbert, Frank Herbert, Louis and Lisa Morello, Father Anthony Morello and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the country.

Visitation will be Friday, June 26 from 6pm-8pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway. The burial will be with full military honors at the Memorial Oaks Cemetery on Saturday, June 27th at 1:00 pm. A celebration of Bill’s life will follow at 2:30 pm at Tallowood Baptist Church, 555 Tallowood Drive, with a reception to follow at the Tallowood church.

If desired, gifts may be given in memory of William R Hamby to the Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/Roll Tide, Roll!