Frank Edward Hamilton, aged 89, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away December 2, 2012 at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs.

Frank was born near Lees Creek, AR on March 31, 1923 to Louis and Clara Mae (Wieberg) Hamilton. As a young child, his family moved to Woods Landing, WY, where his mother later died in childbirth. Frank grew up during the Great Depression, laboring in the log woods near Laramie and doing a grown man's work on a daily basis--hewing out lumber to make railroad ties and skidding timber, often near water while working alone with a horse.

After Frank graduated high school in Laramie, WY, he joined the U.S. Navy on March 19, 1942; he was 18 years old. He attended Hospital Corpsman School at Balboa Park, San Diego, California, before being shipped out to Noumea, New Caledonia--headquarters of U.S. military operations in the South Pacific during WWII. Attached to the U.S. Marine Corps, he served as a battlefield corpsman during fierce combat at Guadalcanal, after which he was evacuated to Auckland, New Zealand and then to the U.S. Navy Hospital in Farragut, ID. He was later transferred to the USS Seattle in NY, where he taught anatomy, biology, physiology, and pharmacy to Navy personnel, along with standard basic military procedures to incoming naval officers. Frank always considered himself very fortunate to have survived Guadalcanal. He also served on Guam, caring for U.S. Marines and Japanese prisoners of war. In all, Frank served in the Navy for 5 years, 10 months, and 3 days, before being discharged in January 1948 at the rank of Chief Pharmacist's Mate/Chief Petty Officer. Following military service, Frank attended the University of Wyoming for a year.

Frank wed Mary Ann Slattery in 1944, and they welcomed three children into their lives during their 21 years of marriage. On April 15, 1972 Frank married Versie Louise Holstine, gaining three additional "ready-made" children. Frank and Louise's lives were later further enriched by welcoming another adult daughter of Frank's into their lives. Through the years, Frank excelled in a variety of occupations. He was a car salesman in Laramie and Cheyenne, owned a junk yard in Laramie, and--along with Louise, his faithful wife of 40 years--owned and operated a motel in Wheatland, WY, a trailer court in Hamilton, MT, two service stations in Rapid City, SD, and an eighteen-wheeler which they drove coast-to-coast for three years. Just prior to retirement, he did assembly line work in Hot Springs, where he was the top producer of photo mats.

For many years, Frank loved to hike the beautiful Black Hills of SD and WY, collecting rocks with Louise. Other hobbies included woodworking and fly fishing, and he was an avid reader--especially enjoying anything and everything written by Louis L'Amour. Frank was a wonderful storyteller, and his mischievous smile and special glint in his eye became particularly obvious when reminiscing or telling one of his yarns. He enjoyed exchanging emails with friends and family, and began taking guitar lessons when he was 85 years old! Insistent upon staying busy in his latter years, Frank knitted and then freely gave away hundreds of stocking caps to those he felt needed warmer heads. Taking delight in his faithful dog, Patches, Frank proudly beamed as she learned each new trick he patiently taught her.

Frank was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners, VFW, and American Legion. His faith in Christ grew strong through the years, and he willingly shared it with others. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Louise Hamilton of Hot Springs; daughters, Frances (Ed) Murray of Casper, WY; Mary Beth (Ken) Haas of Chetek, WI; Lynn McNutt of Post Falls, ID; step-daughters, Kathy (Keith) Lengkeek of Rapid City, SD; Cindy (David) Westphal of Rapid City; step-son, James (Linda) Hitt of Congress, AZ; brother, Sonny Beckett of Ft. Collins, CO; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Frank Hamilton, Jr.; parents, Louis Hamilton and Clara Beckett; brother, Troy Beckett and sisters, Lois Beckett and Joyce Kershner; and step-father, Warren Beckett

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 13, 2012 at The United Churches with Pastor Clint Walker officiating.

Interment will be held at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, December 13, 2012, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.