1920
Roy
2014
Roy Herman Hamil
February 17, 1920 — October 22, 2014
It was a pleasant fall day, October 22, 2014; while out and about and in bright spirits, Roy Herman Hamil, 94, passed suddenly and peacefully. While his own memory had faded in his later years, he is remembered fondly and vividly by many.
Born February 17, 1920, Roy was raised in a large family in depression era Oklahoma. In these early years Roy learned the values that would sustain him through nearly 10 decades of life. As a youngster he learned about farm life and loved to herd turkeys on his horse, Ribbon. Around the time he finished his formal education in the 8th grade he relocated to Skiatook with his family. His father, Robert, in spite of having an injured and withered arm, could equal any man in work load and pace. It was from his father that Roy learned his work ethic, which served him well when his older brothers went to serve in World War II and he was left to care for the family farm, his parents and younger siblings.
In his 94 years, Roy saw his life move literally from the horse and buggy to manned space flight. Raised on the farm in the 20’s & 30’s, Roy learned to fix his own equipment with what he had on hand. National aircraft companies often sought out young farm hands from Oklahoma and Kansas because of their self-educated mechanical ability to create, adapt and repair. Through his employment with McDonald Douglas and Rockwell International in Tulsa, Roy’s machinist career took him from propellers, to jets, to rockets, to missiles and eventually to spacecraft. Roy worked on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle projects. He, with others, put man on the moon. Through his career he served his country, his community, his union, his family and his friends.
While recovering from a work related injury, he met a young nurse, Lela Mae Keeton. He courted her and then married her on June 29, 1959. The family grew in the 60’s with the addition of sons Wade Lee and Earl Robert. Staying true to his upbringing, Roy and Lela purchased their own farm and began a second vocation in the dairy business.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Robert E. and Anna Paulson Hamil, and 7 siblings. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lela, of the home; his son Robert of Skiatook; son Wade and wife, Angela, of Norman, OK; his sister, Betty Hamil, of Skiatook; three grandkids, Aaron, Michael and Haley; and innumerable relatives and friends.
Roy Hamil was a constant presence in the Skiatook community, most frequently seen in his blue casual or dress overalls and straw hat. He was a man of love, kindness, drive, determination and perseverance; willing to offer time, tools, effort and wisdom to anyone who asked. He was an uncommon...common man; he is remembered.
Casket escorts are: Glen Hamil, Tony Zortman, Mark Simpson, Eddie Lee Keeton, Alan Simpson and Steve Ragan.
Music for the services: “In The Garden” , “On The Wings of a Dove” and “A Single Rose”.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roy Herman Hamil, please visit our flower store.