William "Keever" Hamrick age 93 entered his eternal home at White Oak Manor, Kings Mountain after declining health for a little over a year. He was the firstborn to Victor Lee and Rachel Clary Hamrick and grew up in the Flint Hill and Mt. Sinai communities in Shelby. He never finished school but dropped out to help his parents out on the farm. He was drafted and proudly served in in the U.S. Army during World War II from April 21, 1943 to October 28, 1945. He served with the 363rd Quartermaster Company and landed on Utah Beach on Day 2 of the invasion. During the war it was his duty to prepare the food for fellow soldiers. He always wanted to talk about his experiences and always had a story to tell. After returning from service his uncles helped him to find employment with Esther Mill in Shelby; where he worked in the carding room for 47 ½ years. He would often be called to help with the other Dover Textile Mills as well. He was a long time member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where he was ordained a Deacon in 1955. He also enjoyed teaching the Men's Sunday School class until he was unable to continue due to his health. In addition to his parents Keever was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Louise Champion Hamrick, firstborn daughter, Norma Ann Hamrick, three brothers; Lamar, Rev. Dr. Ector and Fred Hamrick and well as four sisters; Nellie Sue Frazier, Annie Rae Bridges, Nancy Mayes and Emily Mayes.
He is survived by his daughters Phyllis Hamrick and Wanda Hamrick of Kings Mountain, brother-in-laws; Carl Bridges of Shelby, Wayne Mayes of Kings Mountain, and Dean and wife Gay Champion of Shelby; sister-in-law Carol Hamrick of Suffolk, VA and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Kings Mountain with Rev. Ron Caulder officiating, burial will follow in the church cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive friends an hour before the service from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm in the church sanctuary.
The family requests memorials be made to: Life Enrichment, 110 Life Enrichment Blvd., Shelby, NC 28150.
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Hamrick. |
