W. Donald Hamilton, Sr.

Don was born in Bermuda on November 21, 1935. He grew up in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania with his mother and grandmother following the death of his father. In his youth, Don earned the rank of Eagle Scout, played the trombone, and was active in sports. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Don met his wife of 65 years, June, as a child at Olivett Presbyterian Church. The high school sweethearts were married in 1958 following his graduation from college. They started a family in Pennsylvania then moved to Hyde Park, New York in 1968 after Don accepted a position in sales with IBM. An active member of St. James Episcopal Church, he served as a lay reader and warden. Vacations were most often spent with family and friends camping, sailing, enjoying the beach or visiting parks and historical sites. His job in international marketing allowed them to live in London where they enjoyed extensive travel. In 1987 they settled in Cary, NC where they built many new, enduring friendships. Don retired from IBM after 37 years giving him more time to travel and spend time with his grandchildren. He also volunteered for many years as a guardian-ad-litem advocating for children in the Wake County foster care system.

Don is survived by his wife, June Moore Hamilton of Cary; daughter, Lisa Dziepak (Frank) of Clayton, NC; son, Stephen Hamilton of Nairobi, Kenya; daughter-in-law, Lois Hamilton; grandchildren; William D. Hamilton III, Hartley Hamilton, Katy Dziepak, and Eva Hamilton and; cousins, Myrtle Dean and Kathy Phillips and many extended family members and dear friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, William High Hamilton and Ethel Peoples Hamilton, and son, W. Donald Hamilton, Jr.

A Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11:00 am at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. Family received friends during a light reception following the service. For those that were unable to attend, a link to the video of the service may be found below under DONATIONS.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Friends of Wake Guardian Ad Litem.

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