He was born March 21, 1931, in Lawrence, the son of John William Hamilton Sr. and Opal (Winfrey) Hamilton. He grew up and attended schools in Lawrence.

Mr. Hamilton worked for a Chrysler automobile dealership in Lawrence for several years. He then moved to Topeka, where he lived until his death.

He married Pearl Mitchell in 1953, in Lawrence.

Survivors include three sons, Mike, Jerry and George, all of Topeka; six daughters, Teresa Brown and Judith Bayless, both of Topeka; Yvonne Flagg and Kathleen Jessup, both of Atlanta; Elizabeth Gant, Ozawkie, and Sonya Hamilton, Lawrence; 26 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.rumsey-yost.com.