William Gordon Hamer

William Gordon Hamer, age 76, passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Collin Bradfield Hamer, Sr. and Vivian Elizabeth Hanna Hamer. He is survived and will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 53 years, Leslie Ann Felger Hamer; two beloved sons, Michael David Hamer (Candy Cross Hamer) and Gary Stephen Hamer (the late Cecilia Espinoza Hamer); brother, Collin Hamer, Jr. (the late Jacqulin Grant Hamer); sisters, Sharon David (the late Alfred David, Jr.), Carol Carvajal (Donald), Jean Hamer, and Faye Brown (Ray); and four grandchildren, Kyle Alexander Hamer, Carson James Hamer, Danitza Magdalena Hamer, and Arkaitz Stephen Hamer. He is also survived by his goddaughter, Jan Alexandra Hamer, and a host of extended family.

Mr. Hamer was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1970, he received his B.S. in Mathematics, and in 1972, his M.S. in Mathematics, both from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. He worked as a Traffic Engineering Manager with BellSouth and retired after 34 years of service. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Rita Church in Harahan, and a lifetime member of St. Rita’s Dad’s Club. Gordon was also a member in Elks of Jefferson Carnival Club. He enjoyed woodworking, home improvements, electronics, computers, and fixing or tinkering with any and everything in his garage, house, and backyard - always with a Miller Lite close by.

He always spent time helping his wife, relatives, friends, and neighbors in every way he could with his mechanical, electrical, and computer skills. He enjoyed construction and decoration of the annual truck float for his Carnival Club for over 15 years. He also really enjoyed big summer vacations with lots of friends and family, and always brought a toolbox along to help leave the places they stayed better than when they arrived.

Gordon and his wife met at Southeastern Louisiana University while both were studying there. He loved her more than anything in this life and they worked together (him the builder, her the artist) making their house a home for over 45 years, continually decorating and remodeling it to keep up with changing times as if it were Disney’s Carousel of Progress – always genuine, always beautiful. With he and Leslie each one of six children, he especially loved sharing Christmases in their home with the whole extended family each year, watching it grow.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 1:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:00AM. The interment will follow the Mass at All Saints Mausoleum in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mr. Hamer’s memory to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com