Dr. William Hanson Hammonds died on January 13, 2022 at his home in Gulf Breeze, Florida. A native of Christian County, Ky., he was born May 6, 1932, in Crofton, Ky. An outstanding college basketball player in Crofton In high school, Bill turned down a college scholarship to enlist in the United States Air Force during the war. from Korea. After enlistment, he returned to Christian County to attend Bethel College, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where he met his future wife, Carolyn Carter. From there, Bill began his training for the ministry at Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky. The first ordination of a minister in the history of Crofton Christian Church, Crofton, Ky., was June 17, 1956 , when Bill was ordained into the Christian ministry. He had joined the congregation at the age of 15 (three years after his father’s death), served as a deacon at 17, and became an elder at 21. Bill furthered his education by earning his AB degree in philosophy from the University of Georgia, his master’s degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School, and his doctorate from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.
During his 66-year career in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Bill served 11 churches in four areas: Crockett Mills, Tennessee; Newport, Ark. ; Watkinsville, Georgia; Pembroke, Ky./Sinking Fork, Ky.; Humboldt, Tenn.; Athens, Georgia; Danville, Kentucky; Blytheville, Ark. ; and Macon, Georgia. He wrote and delivered thousands of sermons, preaching at least once a week, and was invited to speak at countless revivals throughout the South. Bill has served as a speaker and seminar leader at state assemblies and conventions as well as the World Convention of Christian Churches in Mexico City, Mexico.
Bill’s professional contributions included serving on Christian Church state boards over the years in addition to serving as president of local ministers associations. He served a long term on the Ministry Commission as well as on the Christian College of Georgia Board of Trustees. He has served as a college counselor for church conferences in Georgia in addition to a camp director and state coordinator for youth camps. He and Carolyn served as co-chairs of Ministers and Mates in Georgia for several terms. Bill enjoyed his involvement with local civic clubs, especially the Toastmasters Club of Athens, of which he was president. He was proud of the state championship club award (Outstanding Club) three years in a row. Bill was also honored to receive the title of Colonel of Kentucky, the highest honorary title bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky and the Commonwealth of Kentucky in recognition of his outstanding achievement and service to his community, state and nation.
His retirement from full-time ministry provided him with opportunities to serve as an interim pastor in several congregations as well as plenty of time for golf. With his quick wit and playful sense of humor, Bill enjoyed the friendships he made from childhood through professional life, many of which are captured in the two books he wrote in retirement.
Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carolyn Hammonds, of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; children, Catherine Hicks of Destin, Florida, Laurie Nash (Rick) of Marietta, Georgia, Amy Compton (Joe) of Independence, Ky., and Matthew Hammonds (Ashlee) of Gulf Breeze, Florida; grandchildren, Jared Compton (Kiersten), Alec Nash, Will Compton, Hannah Hammonds, Collin Hammonds, Hadley Hammonds and Henry Hammonds; nephew, Larry R. Richardson (Roberta) and niece, Linda R. Harris (Bill). He was predeceased by his parents, George William and Ruby Hammonds; his sister, Alma Richardson and brother-in-law Ray Richardson; and his son-in-law, Steve Hicks.
A funeral service will be held at Ridgetop Cemetery in Crofton, Ky. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Macon, Ga. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made at Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Week of the compassion for victims of the tornado in western Kentucky: Week of Compassion, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or www.weekofcompassion.org
Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home of Hopkinsville, Ky., is making arrangements.
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