Obit: Hart, Dr. William Hamilton (1919 - 2014)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Barrick, Fangrat, Halverson, Hart, Hofer, Howell, McCammon, Mead, Pearce

----Source: Cumerford - Hurd Funeral Homes (Peoria, IL) 4/30/2014

Hart, Dr. William "Bill" Hamilton (26 APR 1919 - 26 APR 2014)

PEORIA - Dr. William "Bill" Hamilton Hart, 95, of Peoria passed away and was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at UnityPoint Health-Methodist in Peoria.

Bill was born on April 10, 1919, in Peoria, Ill., to Roscoe Dean and Grace Pearce Hart. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Peoria. He married Virginia S. Fangrat in 1943. Together, they raised five children and in 1970 decided to increase their family by adopting a son and daughter from Vietnam. In 1982, he married Jeanette A. McCammon.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; and his six children, Ginny (Jerry) Halverson of East Peoria, Diane (Dick) Hofer of Princeville, Debbie (Tom) Mead of Peoria, Patty (Frank) Howell of Argyle, Texas, Tim (Chris) Hart of Peoria and Kim (Mark) Barrick of Peoria. He also leaves 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; one sister; his son, William; and his grandson, Jordan Barrick.

Upon graduation from Peoria High School, Bill entered Bradley University. He later transferred to the University of Illinois and received his medical training at the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago. Bill's education was interrupted during World War II, when he was called to serve in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army. He was stationed in England and Germany.

After the war, he completed his internship and residency in general surgery. He went into private practice with Dr. Loren Whittaker, forming Whittaker and Hart Surgical Associates, and remained in practice for 43 years. His entire life was dedicated to helping others. He served with his brother, Dr. Robert D. Hart, as Peoria High's team physician for 43 years, and was honored as the first co-recipient of the Team Physician Award for service rendered to high school teams of Illinois. He also developed and implemented the first academically based EMT training program in the Peoria area.

After retirement, Bill remained involved in various community activities, including the Red Cross and the District 150 mentoring program. His participation continued into his 90s.

Visitation will be held at Cumerford-Hurd Funeral Home, located at 428 W. McClure Ave., in Peoria, on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Private interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date.