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July 19, 1952 - August 19, 2026
It is with deep sadness to announce that William "Bill" Kent Hamilton, M.D., Colonel, USAF (Retired), 74, of Morgantown, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2026. He was born to parents Rebecca "Pete" Beck Hamilton and Earl Robert Hamilton in Nitro July 19, 1952.
Bill demonstrated incredible character, determination, and commitment to service from a young age, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.
After graduating from Muskingum University in 1974, Bill continued his education at West Virginia University, earning his medical degree in 1979. He began his medical career in Family Practice before specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a field that became his lifelong passion.
Bill served his country as a physician in the United States Air Force, attaining the distinguished rank of Colonel. His military medical career began at Andrews Air Force Base and spanned 23 years across the globe, from the Philippines to Germany and England, before he retired from active duty at Langley Air Force Base. Bill's years in uniform reflected his lifelong commitment to service, leadership, medicine, and caring for others.
Following his military retirement, Bill continued helping patients and people in healthcare not only locally, but across the country in Arizona, Virginia, and South Dakota. His career in medicine spanned five decades and touched countless lives with his empathy, wisdom, and perseverance.
One of Bill's direct quotes on why he chose Obstetrics and Gynecology: "I enjoyed being with patients at such a happy time. It is exciting to bring new life into this world." Those words captured the heart of a physician who genuinely loved caring for people and being part of some of their most meaningful moments.
Following his passing, WVU Medicine remembered him for the "time, expertise, and compassion he shared with our patients, families, and healthcare team." It was a fitting reflection of the physician--and the man--that Bill was throughout his life.
As accomplished as Bill was professionally, his greatest legacy is found in the people whose lives he touched. He will be remembered for his intelligence, compassion, wisdom, perseverance, generosity, and unwavering willingness to help others. He was a physician, military officer, mentor, colleague, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, whose influence reached far beyond what titles or accomplishments alone could ever capture.
Bill was preceded in passing by mother, Rebecca "Pete" Hamilton and father, Earl Robert Hamilton.
He is survived by his wife, Anne; his brother, Ed Hamilton and wife Vikki; his daughters, Heather and husband Peter Bechtel, and Megan; his son, Alexander "Alex" Hamilton; five grandchildren, Benjamin, Christoffer, Asher, Eden, and Desmond; and nephew, Robert and wife Lauren and their children, Maximus and Lottie. He will be missed greatly by his family, friends, colleagues, patients, and the many others whose lives were impacted because Bill was part of them.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations, in Bill's honor, be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which champions supporting our American heroes and their families.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, August 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Dering-Henson Funeral Home. All who knew and loved Bill are invited to join in honoring his memory.
Bill spent his life bringing new life into the world, caring for others, serving his country, and making a difference wherever he went. His life was truly a life of service--and a life that will long be remembered!