Richard E. Hamilton, 78, died August 28, 2003, in Leesburg, Florida. He was born September 16, 1924 in Toolesboro, Iowa, the son of William Levi and Lydia Wilson Hamilton.

Graveside services and interment were held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 5, at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida, with the Lake County Veterans Honor Guard officiating. Arrangements were made by Beyers Funeral Home in Leesburg.

He was a former resident of Wapello and graduate of the Wapello High School.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. He served in the Pacific area and later was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia and San Diego, California, serving more than 20 years and attaining the rank of Chief.

He married Betty Louise Johnson on April 27, 1946. They had three children, Ralph, Diane and Doreen.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, Wildwood, Florida; a son, Ralph and Janet Hamilton of Higginsville, Missouri; a daughter, Diane and Jerry Moore of Tampa, Florida; sisters-in-law Alice Hamilton of Burlington and Flossie Hamilton of Wapello; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and nieces and nephews.