William Charles Hammonds, PhD

If you look up the words, “focus,” “drive” and “determination” in the dictionary, you will most definitely find a picture of William Charles Hammonds beside them. Once he set a goal, there was no one who could out work him to obtain it and no obstacle that could prevent him from achieving it.

William Charles Hammonds was born in Akron, Ohio on March 15, 1938, [the Ides of March], the fifth of seven children born to the late Ulysses Samuel Hammonds and the late Annie Louise (Reese) Hammonds. Named after his paternal grandfather, William Huston Hammonds [Poppy] and his maternal uncle, Charles Reese, [Uncle Charlie], William grew up in a stern, but loving home that emphasized hard work, education and God loving principles. William accepted Christ at an early age when he joined the family church, Phillips Chapel C.M.E., where his faith was developed and nurtured. Although he was part of a large family, William refused to be overlooked. He talked so much that his siblings nicknamed him “Radio.” Being in a family with four brothers and two sisters, also helped William to develop a healthy competitive spirit that would serve him well in school, on the athletic field and in life.

As a youngster, William played bantamweight football and baseball with his older brother, the late Robinson (Bobby) Hammonds and his friends. William’s constant competition with older, larger athletes combined with his relentless and persistent commitment to practice, both accelerated his learning curve and enabled him to excel in the classroom and on the athletic field.

During his four years at East High School, [from 1952 to 1956], William was an excellent student, but he was an exceptional athlete. William lettered in three sports: football, basketball and baseball. At a time when black football players were not considered intelligent enough to lead the team and were relegated to the defense back and receiver positions, William was at the helm of the team in the coveted role of quarterback. His consistent shot making under pressure and confidence as a guard on the basketball court drew the ire of his white coach and resentment from his nearly all white teammates who voted William off the basketball team. When East High School’s win-loss record began to suffer, the coach reluctantly asked William to rejoin the team. Once William returned to the team, whenever the games were close the coach emphatically told the rest of the players, “Nobody shoot but Hammonds.” William was so accomplished as a baseball player that scouts for the Cleveland Indian’s minor league team recruited him right out of high school.

Despite his athletic success, William never forgot the importance of education instilled in him by his parents. After graduating from East High School, he attended Capital University, located outside of Columbus, Ohio, on a full athletic scholarship. When William discovered that his obligations to the team interfered with his class schedule and study time, he quit the team. Capital responded by rescinding his athletic scholarship and presenting William with a bill demanding reimbursement of his full tuition for all the classes he had enrolled in to date. William not only paid off his tuition debt owed to Capital University, but also went on to enroll in and graduate from the University of Akron.

While a student at the University of Akron, William met and later married Lillian Katrina Callaway. Their union produced two children, a daughter, Katrina Rochelle Hammonds and a son, his namesake, William Charles Hammonds II. William went on to attend Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio where he earned a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW).

After graduating from Case Western Reserve University, William moved his young family to Detroit, Michigan where he would spend the majority of his adult life. It was in Detroit that he embarked on a life long career in education, first in the classroom as a teacher and later as an administrator for the Detroit Public Schools system. One of his most notable accomplishments as an administrator was his overhaul and restructuring of the entire DPS night school and GED programs. His practical and insightful adjustments to these failing systems made it possible for a multitude of the non-traditional student population these programs serve to pass high school equivalency exams and to position themselves for college admission or employment.

His interests were broad and diverse. He enjoyed collecting art and collecting and restoring exotic and classic automobiles. A seasoned world traveler, William counted Japan and Africa among his favorite destinations. William was also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi (ΚΑΨ) fraternity for over 50 years.

William continued to pursue higher learning throughout his lifetime. His selection as a Mott intern made it possible for him to earn a PhD (Doctorate of Philosophy) from the University of Michigan at an accelerated pace by moving his family to Flushing, Michigan, a suburb of Flint, for one year. William also earned an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Michigan State University. A progressive thinker, William was always investing in himself and adding additional layers to his already impressive list of skillsets. In addition to his other professional accomplishments, William studied for and secured his Michigan realtor license, which he used not only to represent third party buyers and sellers in the metro Detroit real estate market but also to amass his own portfolio of real estate properties for personal and commercial use.

During the last two years of William’s life, his family rallied around him, enveloping him in a circle of love and support. His devoted daughter Katrina dutifully traveled from northern California every other weekend to check on William, eventually requesting a job transfer and relocating from Alameda, California to Las Vegas during the final year of his life, to manage his care and be with William on a daily basis. Frequent visits from son William, daughter-in-law Rae Michelle and William’s grandchildren were a highly anticipated source of joy that brightened William’s days. William treasured his weekly visits from his younger brother James (Jimmy) which helped to keep him grounded and connected as they laughed, reminisced over childhood memories, shared antidotal stories and watched sporting events, often sharing meals together. His participation in the Hammonds Family Bible Study conference call four times a week with sister-in-law, Ramona and nieces Crystal, Victoria, Stephanie and daughter, Katrina were a constant source of fellowship, comfort and edification for William.

William C. Hammonds departed this life on September 24, 2023. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children, Katrina Hammonds, of Las Vegas, Nevada, William (Rae Michelle) Hammonds, of Upland, California, five grandchildren, Greg, Kayla, Whitney, Raquel, Tamia, four great-grandchildren, Dario, Skye, Khloe, Madison all of California and Texas, sibling, James E. Hammonds of Los Angeles, California, his wife, Delores Hammonds of North Carolina, sisters-in-law Ramona Hammonds of Detroit, Michigan, Amelia Hammonds, of Los Angeles, California and Annette Hammonds of Akron, Ohio and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Ulysses S. and Annie L. Hammonds, sisters Mary L. Brown and Rose M. Greenwood and brothers Dr. Robinson R. Hammonds, Samuel I. Hammonds and Henry M. Hammonds.