Obituary of William M. Hamrick, Jr.

Mr. William M. Hamrick, Jr., age 89, of Barnesville, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

William was born on Tuesday, March 21, 1933, in Vega, Georgia, to the late William Hamrick, Sr. and to the late Bertha Adams Hamrick. He was raised in Meansville, Georgia. He lettered in basketball where he became captain. In his best game, he scored 41 points. He went to state in tennis and in track. He was a life scout.

He joined the Navy and was off to San Diego. He was on the Destroyer John A. Bole. He fought in the Korean War. He has four combat missions where he received three silver stars and a NATO metal.  He also received a Korean Presidential Award, United Nations Service Metal, and a National Defense Service Metal. He was stationed in Japan. He came home and worked at William Carter Company in Barnesville. He worked there and went to college at night at Gordon Military College where he graduated in 1960.

In 1966 he went to work for the National Life and Accident Company out of Nashville, Tennessee. He worked there for 30 years. The company is now A.I. Company. He reached and became District Manager in Macon. He had 30 agents that worked with him. He was first elected Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars of District 4, the Marion Matthews Post 6542 of Barnesville. In 1966 he was Commander for 30 years total.

He had two twin sons, Stan and Dan Hamrick with his wife of 62 years, June Taylor Hamrick. June and Stan preceded him in death, he was also preceded in death by one grandson, Scott Daniel. He has one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter, Jillian Taylor Bittick and Lawson and Lillian Zefa Bittick of Forsyth. J.R. loved his country and his community. He was loved by all colors and races.

A Funeral Service for Mr. William M. Hamrick, Jr. will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. at Meansville Baptist Church with Deacon Mark Goodin officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 P.M. until the service hour at the church. Interment will follow the service in Lamar Memory Gardens.

Those who wish may leave an online condolence on our website, www.williams-westburyfuneralhome.com

Williams-Westbury Funeral Home, 526 College Drive, Barnesville is proudly serving the Hamrick family.