James Hamill

James Edward Hamill, 75 years old, born December 11,1941 in Los Angeles, CA. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and proud Navy Veteran passed into eternal life on April 28, 2017 in Corona, CA.

Baby Jim was preceded in death by his father, Felix Stanford, mother, Helen Cecelia and brother, Robert Hamill.

Jim was raised in Los Angeles and attended Horace Mann Jr. High and Washington High School. Shortly after, Jim joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Long Beach aboard the USS Illusive(MSO448). While stationed in Long Beach, Jim married the love of his life, Mary-Adele Gillis. Jim and Mary-Adele would remain together for the next 56 years.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary-Adele, daughters, Adena Marie and Tamra Lynn, grandchildren, Monique Kristyne, Michael Christopher, Michael James, Marissa Nicole, Matthew David and Morgan Cecelia, great-grandchildren, Jake Thomas, Derek James, Kennedy Marie and Austin Ryan, brother, John Hamill, nephews, David Hamill and Dean Hamill and numerous great nephews and one great niece.

Jim was an Operating Engineer representing Local 12 while being employed with American Standard Concrete Pumping and L.A. Concrete Pumping for many years. Jim took great pride in pumping concrete for numerous high rise buildings that represent much of downtown LA, the Vegas Strip and downtown San Diego.

Jim loved the outdoors. He had a passion for deer hunting and every October for 50 plus years, Jim and his hunting buddies would meet in Utah for the annual hunt. He also loved to fish and would spend the month of July with his fishing buddies at the cabin in Utah. He loved the peace and quiet up in those mountains.

Jim was an avid water skier back in the day and would go on to teach his two daughters and grandchildren to do the same. Family vacations were always spent on the water, at either Lake Elizabeth, Lake Havasu, Lake Isabella, Lake Mead or Lake Mojave. There were so, so many memories made out on those waters.

Jim loved watching sports. He rooted for the Dodgers, Lakers, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. Jim and his mom, (Dodo), would be the two individuals responsible for making his oldest daughter the crazy football fanatic she is today. He would spend many, many Sundays during every football season enjoying the games with his family and friends. He loved, loved Superbowl Sunday!

Jim loved spending time in Laughlin. He would go every chance he got. He wasn't a big gambler, but he loved those penny slots and the buffets. Once with his penny winnings, he bought Justin Bieber concert tickets for his youngest granddaughter, Morgan (aka Peanut), back when Bieber was a good boy.

Later in life, Jim and Mary-Adele would be introduced to the world of cruising and they fell in love with it. They traveled to many different destinations and Jim immensely enjoyed collecting refrigerator magnets and baseball hats from each port. He also enjoyed collecting a variety of local spices from each port.

For the past several years, Jim looked forward to spending his Tuesday morning with his Veterans Helping Veterans Group, enjoying coffee with his fellow veterans at Betty Faye's in Corona, CA. He developed a close friendship with all involved.

Jim will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and proud Navy Veteran who will forever be "Our Papa!"