Bill Hamilton, 64

William "Bill" H. Hamilton, 64, of Mountain Home, died Friday, March 31, 2006, at a Boise hospital.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, April 5, from 4-6 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, at the First Congregational Church in Mountain Home. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home.

Bill was born on Nov. 30, 1941, the son of William R. and Olive Hamilton in Pittsburgh, Penn. He attended and received a BS in Geology at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, in 1964. He also received a MS Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Vanderbilt/George Peabody University in Tennessee, in 1977, and an MS Degree in National Security Management from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., in 1978.

After graduating from Capital University in 1964 he joined the Air Force.

He began his career as a navigator in B-52s before serving in Vietnam as an Instructor Navigator and Night Sight Operator on the AC-119G Shadow Gunship.

Following Vietnam he moved to Nellis AFB, Nev., and became one of the top Weapon System Officers and navigators in the F-111. Later he was stationed in Europe, at RAF Upper Heyford, England, and finally Mountain Home AFB.

He retired in 1984, after 20 years of distinguished service as top navigator in the F-111, with more flight hours and experience than anyone at that date.

During his years of service he met Mary Ann Notaro and they were married in Irwin, Penn., on May 18, 1968.

Bill was active in his community. He was President of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce in 1990, President of the Mountain Home Military Affairs Committee in 1998, President of the Mountain Home Aero Heritage Foundation from 1999-2003, was a member of the Travel and Tourism Committee, a member of the First Congregational Church and a Master Mason and Life Member of Elmore Lodge #30, A.F. and A.M.

He was a avid reader, a dedicated fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates and Idaho's "greatest Steeler fan." He collected Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates memorabilia as well as any memorabilia concerning aircrafts.

He was strong proponent and fan of the youth soccer program in Mountain Home in the 1980s, including refereeing at the youth games.

"He was proud to have served his country and defended the freedoms and rights of all Americans," his family said. "He was a strong role model and mentor to many people throughout his career in the USAF and beyond. He was friendly and kind to everyone, and loved by all who knew him."

Bill is survived by: his wife, Mary Ann, of Mountain Home; sons Michael and his wife, Mona Hamilton, of England, and Scott Hamilton of Boise; a daughter, Melissa Hamilton and her fiance, Gared Pieper, of Wisconsin; his father, William, and his brothers, Russell and Paul Hamilton, all of Pennsylvania, as well as seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Olive.