Willis K. Hamilton

Willis Karl Hamilton a.k.a. Will Hamilton went home to be with the Lord on October 29, 2021. He was born to Garfield (Willie) and Marie Turner Hamilton on January 11, 1963. He was raised in South Bend, Indiana and graduated from John Adams High School.

He moved with his wife, Joy, and daughter, Varonica to Lee's Summit, Missouri in 2006. While living in Missouri, they were members of Evangelistic Center International Ministries where he participated in the EC Kids Ministry engaging the children with the life-sized puppets, he hand-crafted. The products of his Mid-West Puppet Designs business.

Anyone who knew Willis was touched by his kindness, humor, and mild temperament. His greatest joys were his Savior Jesus Christ, family with whom he loved spending time, his numerous musical instruments, photography, and motorcycles. Willis was a truly talented and creative singer, songwriter, and musician with a catalog of over 300 songs including his very first cut—an LP 45—at age 16 entitled "Jesus is Knocking" to his newest song that will be shared posthumously, entitled "Dream Machine." His creativity also extended to the radio station WUBS where the jingle he wrote, "If you keep us locked in, we'll keep you lifted up," can still be heard. In addition, he designed a "Guard Dog" (logo) that still stands watch today outside the Eaton Corporation, where he previously worked, in South Bend, Indiana. One of his greatest creative works was "Lord, Have Mercy," an original movie, that premiered locally at the Glenwood Theatre in 2015.

Willis earned college hours related to computer networking at Metropolitan Community College, KCMO. He also completed certifications in 2D and 3D digital drafting and design as a participant in RW2 Career and Technical Education. Willis also loved his job in shipping and receiving at Corbion in Grandview, Missouri as well as the people with whom he worked.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents Garfield and Marie Hamilton. He is survived by his loving wife, Joy to whom he was happily married for 28 years; three sons and one daughter – Abner (Shawna), Elijah (Erin), Willis II (Faith), and Varonica Hamilton. Also surviving are two sisters, Anna Marie Dorsey (Phillip), Judy Eady (Ken); and two brothers, Garfield Hamilton, and Gary Hamilton; a special sister Kewana Lawshea (Charles) and five grandchildren, Jacob Hamilton, Azariah Hamilton, Bear Hamilton, Ember Hamilton, and Pearl Hamilton; and nephews and nieces Melissa Lehman, Terance Gamble, Kaitlyn Eady, Xavier Lewis Tunnage, LaDonna Johnson, and John Rybolt; and life-long friend, J. Findley May. We will all miss him more than words can say.

Memorials are suggested to RW2 Career and Technical Education scholarship fund for students in need. https://bit.ly/3kE7qIK or CheneyWitt Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. 66701.

11/07/2021 EJS