Leo Robert Hamilton

Leo R. Hamilton, 91, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away March 16, 2017. Visitation will be 12:00-1:00 p.m. followed by funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road. Burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the DAV or VFW.

Leo was born on July 19, 1925 in Cincinnati, IA to William S. and Alta Bee (nee Harrelson) Hamilton. He was the sixth of ten children with five brothers and four sisters. He was raised on a farm in Green City, Missouri and the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1941.

He graduated from Bluett High School in 1943 and entered the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the South Pacific during World War II, seeing combat in the Solomon Islands, Marianas Islands, and in the battles of Guam, Saipan and Iwo Jima. Leo also served during the Korean War. Between his tours of duty, he was in the USMC reserves. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, various combat citations, the Korean War Medal and the Cold War Certificate. Leo was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of Sergeant.

Leo married Lois Lee Waddell on June 27, 1953 and their son was born in 1955.

He spent several years in the trucking industry with various firms as office manager and then terminal manager. Leo worked for the Federal Government for 22 years in traffic management, fuel supply and fuel distribution, retiring in 1985. He continued to reside in St. Louis, Missouri until 1994, at which time Lois and Leo moved to Kansas City, Missouri to be with their son and family. He was a member of the Hope United Church of Christ in St. Louis for 38 years and a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ since 1994.

Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers Howard, Charles, Glen, Dean and Marvin, and sisters Nettie, Ruth, Frances and Cleo. Leo is survived by his wife of 63 years Lois, son Leslie R. Hamilton, grandsons Joshua J. and Jacob D. Hamilton, extended family and friends.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.