William Hammond

William F. "Bill" Hammond passed away March 14, 2021, of natural causes. Born on June 20, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, the 5th of 7 children to David and Mary Hammond. He attended St. Mark's Catholic School and Tilden High School. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Bill's mother displayed four stars in her window during World War II while he and his three brothers served their country overseas. Bill served for two and half years in the China Burma India Theatre, the forgotten war as it was remembered by those who served there. He met the love of his life, Elaine Smith on Thanksgiving Day in 1942, a beautiful blonde 16 year old South High sophomore, after having signed up with the Catholic Service Organization to spend Thanksgiving dinner with her family. He also served during the Korean War in the US Air Force, stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, OK.  Bill and Elaine were married April 12, 1947 in St. Louis Catholic Church in Englewood, Colorado. They were married 71 years until her death in 2018.

Bill worked for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph which later became Mountain Bell where he retired after 35 years. He started as a lineman stringing cable from Idaho Springs to Georgetown along what is now known as Interstate 70. Transferring to the "plant" department, doing installation and repair work in the Denver area. In the 1960's, Bill worked in sales moving up to marketing manager, his many accounts included the Federal Government statewide and the Martin Marietta Corporation. He retired at 58 in 1982.  After his "official" retirement, he started his own business doing handyman work, also throughout the Denver area until the late 2000s.

Having been a founding member of Risen Christ Catholic Parish, he served in numerous ministries including being one of the longest serving ushers for 50 years. Bill and Elaine started the Food Ministry that is still active today, 40 years later.

Bill was honored as the 2005 Colorado Jefferson Award Honoree, and a 2006 7 Everyday Hero, for his years of public service to the Denver community.

Survivors include his daughter, Susan and her sons, Zachary and Matthew, son Tom, his wife Virginia and their children, Jonathan and Marilee, son Bill and his daughter Sadie, son, Steven and his wife Debbie, their children, Christine and Jennifer, her husband Jim and their children, Lauren, Meaghan and Nathan as well as Bill's numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5:30 - 6:30 pm with rosary to begin at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, 3/24/2021 at Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave. Denver, CO 80014. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, 3/25/2021, 10:00 am at Risen Christ Catholic Church, 3060 S. Monaco Pkwy. Denver, CO 80222. Due to COVID restrictions services will conclude at the church. Bill will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery with full military honors from the United States Air Force.

For those wishing to attend the service for Bill virtually, please visit the Risen Christ website, via the following link: https://risenchristchurch.org/ Click the YouTube icon on the top right hand coroner to gain access to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bill's name to the Denver Hospice Home Health Care, 8299 E. Lowry Blvd. Denver, CO 80230