William Hamilton

To his friends at Arbor Terrace, he was simply "The Judge." William "Bill" Hamilton lived life in high definition as the keeper of family history and the glue that held us together. A vibrant spirit who refused to let a wheelchair dampen his zest for connection, Bill passed peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at

Brightmoor Hospice in Griffin, Georgia, surrounded by his family.

Bill’s story began on July 14, 1941, in Roanoke, Alabama, to William Garrison Hamilton, Sr. and Gladys Dorothy Marable Hamilton, Bill was a resilient firstborn. A childhood battle with polio forged a quiet strength and grit that became his trademark, teaching him to live every day with unwavering purpose.Bridging the empathy of social work with the authority of law, Bill earned degrees from the University at Buffalo and his Juris Doctorate. For 45 years, he served the New York State Unified Court System as a fair

and witty magistrate. Admitted to the New York Bar in 1974 and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar in 1976, he shared these milestones with his first wife, the late Verna Mae Taylor, and their three proud daughters.

Bill was the ultimate family historian and a pillar of the Greene County Social Club, Marable/Shealey, and Hamilton/Jackson/Hendricks circles. From his years as a trustee at Bethel AME in Buffalo, to regular attendance at the men’s group of First Baptist Church of Peachtree City to leading Bible studies at Arbor Terrace, his deep faith in Jesus Christ served as his anchor.

He loved the journey, often road-tripping to visit loved ones. He and his late wife, Gezina “Sien” Thalen, frequently traveled with his brother Frank and late sister-in-law Anne to favorite spots like Aruba, always treasuring time spent with those he held dear.

In 2022, Bill moved to Arbor Terrace, becoming a Resident Ambassador who knew everyone by name. An avid Bills fan, he frequently discussed sports with his daughter Jada and remained the heartbeat of his family. He especially cherished holidays and Sunday services with his daughter Heather, son-in-law Donny,

and grandchild AJ, never missing a birthday or a chance to stay connected through his regular, cherished phone calls with family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Courtney Inez Hamilton. He is survived by his brother, Dr.Frank Alfonzo Hamilton; four nieces; daughters, Dr. Jada Lin Richardson and Heather Enid Gamblin; sons-in-law, Frank Richardson and Don Gamblin Jr.; and his treasured grandchildren, Matthew Richardson, AJ Richardson, Maya Richardson, and Alex Richardson, along with extended family and many friends who will remember his enduring charm.

Bill leaves behind a legacy of resilience, faith, and a life lived by the motto, ‘hang in there, Help is on the way.’

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand,

that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:1