William "“Bill”" Walter Hamilton

William (“Bill”) Walter Hamilton, age 90, passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of March 18, 2018, after an extended hospitalization due to kidney failure. His devoted wife of 12 years, Norma, was by his side continually during his illness and at the time of his death. Bill had been married for 50 years to his childhood sweetheart, Mary Lucy Beauge, who died in 2001. He is survived by Bill and Mary’s only son, William L. Hamilton, who resides in New York. Bill was born and raised in Ironton, Ohio, the son of Walter Hamilton and Eloise Madden. His father died at age 41, when Bill was only seven years old. In order to help support the family while in high school, Bill worked as a deckhand aboard barges on the Mississippi in the summertime during the later part of World War II. After completing his secondary education at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Ironton, and with his mother’s permission, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17. After the war, he obtained a B.A. in English Literature at the University of Cincinnati. He subsequently worked with Ashland Oil and Refining Company for four years, until entering on duty with the FBI in 1954. He enthusiastically served the FBI with pride until his retirement in 1982. In 1986, his desire to continue to contribute to the security of our country led him to joining the Central Intelligence Agency as a contractor. His previous military and law enforcement experience made him a valuable and respected addition to the CIA until 2011. A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia, on Friday, April 20th. A wake will begin at 10 a.m., followed by Holy Mass at 11 a.m. A private gathering for family and friends will be held after the service. In lieu of flowers, Bill and his widow, Norma, asked that contributions to The Salvation Army or Former Agents of the FBI Foundation be considered.