Meadville, PA - William J. Hamill (Bill), 87, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Born at home in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, on July 16, 1938, Bill was the son of the late Lester J. Hamill and Florence (Dundon) Hamill.

He attended schools in Venango and Cambridge Springs. Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, from 1961 until his honorable discharge as a Specialist Fourth Class (SP4) in October 1964.

He began his career with GMC's Fisher Body Division in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked from 1956 to 1967. He then spent two years with the Chautauqua County Highway Department in Sherman, New York. Bill later joined LORD Corporation in Cambridge Springs, where he dedicated 27 years of service before retiring in May 2000.

Bill read through the Bible several times during his life. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to those around him and found lasting comfort in God's forgiveness and grace. He was a cherished parent, grandparent and friend. His kindness and warm spirit will forever be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing him.

In addition to his parents, Lester and Florence Hamill, Bill was preceded in death by sister Grace Hamill and brothers Lester J. Hamill, Jr. and Earl W. Hamill.

He is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by son Mark Hamill, of Virginia; son William Hamill, Jr. and his wife, Carrie, of Girard, Pennsylvania; son Eric Hamill and his wife, Kim, of West Virginia; son Dutch Hamill and his wife, Stephanie, of Meadville and their sons, Wyatt, Eathan, Gage and his wife, Kiera, and Zander Hamill; son Dusty Matheney and his wife, Andrea, of Meadville; niece Leseen (Hamill) Aucker, as well as countless extended family and friends.

Bill joined American Legion Post 111 of Meadville in 1964. He was also a member of F.O.E. #429 in Meadville and was a life member of both the Crawford County Historical Society and the Cambridge Springs Historical Society. Bill loved camping, hunting, and traveling. Over the years, he perfected his homemade brandy. He built an exact replica of a Concord stagecoach, as well as a horse-drawn hearse, which he proudly displayed in parades, pulled by draft horses or Belgian mules. For more than 25 years, Bill enjoyed line dancing, often dancing three or four days a week. He also loved ballroom and square dancing. During the last 10 years, Bill restored a 1967 military ambulance. He loved displaying it at car shows, attending more than 20 shows each year throughout the region.

Family and friends who knew and loved Bill are invited to call and celebrate his beautiful life at Van Matre Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Saturday, July 18, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, when a funeral service will be held. Because Bill loved Western movies, he requested an old-fashioned Western funeral. Following the service, he will be transported from Cambridge Springs to Edinboro Cemetery by way of his restored military ambulance and a horse-drawn hearse.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnels to Towers.

To send condolences, please visit www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.