01/01/38 - 05/07/12
A Celebration of Life service for Mr. William Claud “Bill” Hammond, age 74, of Norman, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2012, at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, 419 South University Boulevard in Norman, with Reverend Linda Harker officiating and Reverend Dr. Dick House and Reverend Dr. Phil Fenn participating.
Graveside services will begin at 9:00 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2012, at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 8701 Northwest Expressway, in Oklahoma City.
The Hammond family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at the Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook Street in Norman.
Bill was born January 1, 1938, in Oklahoma City, the only child of J. Claud and Edith Swinney Hammond. He passed away late Monday evening, May 7, 2012, at his home in Norman after valiantly battling myelodysplasia for three years and acute myeloid leukemia for the last three months.
Bill attended schools in Oklahoma City and was a member of the first graduating class from Northwest Classen High School in 1956. While a student at Northwest Classen, Bill was the Academic Classen Award winner. Bill also excelled in high school athletics, being awarded the B.C. Clark Outstanding Athlete Award and qualifying for All City, All Conference, and All State in both basketball and football. After his high-school graduation, Bill attended the University of Oklahoma on a basketball scholarship from 1956 to 1960, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering in 1961. While at OU, Bill was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
Bill served in the United States Army, being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Artillery in June 1961. He attended Field Artillery Officers Basic School and served two years active duty near Nurnburg, Germany. After his honorable discharge on September 7, 1963, Bill continued to serve in the United States Army Reserve in the 95th Division (Tng), with his last command at 4th Bn, 291st Regt, 3d Bde, 95th Division (Tng). Bill retired as a Colonel in 1989. He was awarded the Meritorius Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and several others.
Bill was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marilyn Sue McDowell, on August 26, 1960, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. They moved to Norman in 1971 and Bill began a career in marketing with OG&E. He retired as Manager of Industrial Services for OG&E in 1994 after more than 23 years of service.
Bill has been an active member of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church since 1971, serving as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee and Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Bill was an accomplished professional, but more importantly, he was an outstanding husband, father and grandfather. After his retirement in 1994, Bill enjoyed spending time with his family. He particularly treasured special moments at Christmas taking his grandchildren to experience the Trains of North Park Mall in Dallas. He also delighted them with Krispy Kreme and Daylight Donuts when they visited, and he enjoyed taking family vacations to the mountains of Colorado and the beaches of Hawaii.
Bill also followed OU sports closely, especially football and basketball. He enjoyed reading, studying World War II History of the European Theater, collecting Lionel Trains and, when time permitted, working in his garden.
Bill was an outstanding person, leaving a mark of impeccable character. We will miss him very much, but take great comfort in the fact that he is spending time with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His family is grateful for his life, for your friendship, and most importantly your prayers.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, J. Claud and and Edith Swinney Hammond. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Marilyn, of the home; two daughters, Cheryl Hammond Raper and her husband, Tommy, of Trophy Club, Texas; Deborah Hammond Witte, and her husband, Robert, of Plano, Texas; his four grandchildren, Brandon Ryan Witte, Courtney Nicole Witte, Katherine Grace Raper and Rachel Elizabeth Raper; his aunt, Nellie Swinney Pierson, of Moore, Oklahoma; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Rita McDowell Litton, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of William C. “Bill” Hammond to the McFarlin Foundation, P.O. Box 6390, Norman, Oklahoma 73070, or the University of Oklahoma Foundation for the Men's Basketball Program, 100 Timberdell Road, Norman, Oklahoma, 73019.
Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com