George Raymond Hamilton

George Raymond Hamilton, 99, resident of Columbia, passed away peacefully this morning, Monday, June 12, 2017 at his residence. A memorial service will be conducted Thursday at 6:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Reverend Chip Hunter officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 4:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral home. Private family inurnment will be held at later date at St. Johns Churchyard.The family suggests memorials be made to the Ayers-Whitney Fellowship Class at First United Methodist Church, 222 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.Born June 30, 1917 in Canada, he was the son of the late George Keeling and the late Ella Hamilton Keeling. In January 1940, he married Lucile Harris Hamilton and they celebrated 77 years of marriage. He was a 1940 graduate of Clemson University. In 1950, he was transferred to Columbia from Bristol, Virginia to open Foremost Dairies Powdered Milk Plant. He also farmed and raised Angus Cattle for many years. He enjoyed gardening, golf, and hunting throughout his life and traveled extensively with his wife to many countries. Mr. Hamilton was a member of First United Methodist Church since 1950. Survivors include his wife, Lucile Harris Hamilton of Columbia; children, Elenor (John) Maxheim of Longboat Key, Florida; Ray (Linda) Hamilton, Jr. of Daphne, Alabama; Sandra (Tom) Reidy of Franklin, Tennessee; grandchildren, Gay Young of Niagara Falls, Canada; Angie Pahleteg of Brentwood, Tennessee; Merrily Calhoun of Houston, Texas; Boyd Hart of Nashville, Tennessee; and six great grandchildren. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Stanley in 1995; and sister, Bertha Keeling in 2007.