William Cowles Hamilton

Born in 1922 in New Britain, CT, to Harold and Helen Cowles Hamilton, he was a member of the eighth

generation of the Upson family, who first came to America in 1638. He attended Mount Hermon School and Yale University. His education was interrupted by WWII, when he served with the U.S. Army Air

Corps in India and China. He obtained a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale and joined the State

Department in 1951.

As a Foreign Service Officer, he specialized in political and national security affairs assignments. His first overseas assignment was in Burma in 1957, followed by a two-year stint at NATO, then located in Paris, France. He then served in Laos from 1962-1964 and Thailand from 1967-1970. As Deputy Chief of

Mission (DCM) in the Philippines from 1971 - 1973, Mr. Hamilton was present both before and after

martial law was declared. His last oversees post was to Stockholm as Charge d’Affaires in 1981-1982. In retirement, he was a member of the Board of Governors of Diplomatic and Consular Officers Retired

(DACOR) and served for many years on the DACOR Foundation’s Education committee, awarding

scholarships and graduate fellowships encouraging public service careers in foreign affairs.

He was happily married to Jeanne Lawton Hamilton from 1946 until her passing in 2005. Moving with

wife Jeanne to Goodwin House Alexandria in 1999, he served on the Residents’ Committee for several

years and enjoyed participating in the choir. In later years, he enjoyed several trips abroad with

companion Dorothy Petrullo, a fellow Goodwin House Resident.

Mr. Hamilton took great pride in his years of public service, and had a range of stories to share, from

helping a Russian pilot defect in Burma, facilitating a visit of Jacqueline Kennedy to Bangkok, and

entertaining American Nobel Prize winners in Stockholm. Other fond memories included Douglas

Fairbanks-style saber bouts at college, visiting scenic and historic wonders of the world, and time spent with his beloved aunt Lois Cowles.

He is survived by his brother Robert Edward Hamilton of Cromwell, CT, daughter Hillary Hamilton of

Seattle, WA, son Brian Hamilton of Falls Church, VA, and granddaughter Marissa Smit of Bloomington, IN.

In memory of Mr. Hamilton, contributions may be made to DACOR Bacon House Foundation, 1801 F St., NW, Washington, DC 20006, or to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.