Billy Ray Hamilton 1933 - 1916 Billy Ray Hamilton was born March 9, 1933 at Van Buren, Crawford Co., Ar. to Isaac & Opal Mae Young Hamilton. September 12, 1953 he married Darlene England from Sallisaw, Oklahoma. They made their residence in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. May 28, 1974 he married Teddie Carolyn Sellers at Montgomery, Texas. Billy enlisted in the US Navy. HIs final rank was Bm3 or Boatswains' Mate. Below is a description of what that entailed. Nothing more is known about his service. Billy passed away January 11, 2016 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His burial was in the National Cemetery there. Co., Ar. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Boatswains' Mate Job Description Boatswain's mates are responsible for maintaining the exterior of the ship, which includes the deck and all attached equipment. This includes painting and performing routine maintenance on lifeboats, wenches and cranes. Boatswain's mates may supervise or participate in damage control operations under combat conditions. They also supervise crews or operate equipment during cargo handling operations. If necessary, they may serve as a member of a gun crew or supervise a gun crew. When the ship launches small boats, such as during a mission to intercept and investigate a suspicious ship, a BM3 may pilot the boat or supervise the crew. Small boats that may also fall under a boatswain's mate's responsibility include barges, tugs and picket boats. Five Year Service Commitment A boatswain's mate performs most of his duties outdoors and may encounter uncomfortable weather conditions. The duties are primarily physical in nature. Enlisting for the boatswain's mate rating requires a five-year service commitment. After completing basic training, candidates attend a 26-day training program in Great Lakes, Illinois. Boatswain's mates typically spend at least half of their careers at sea. If a boatswain's mate has been in the service less than 20 years, sea tours can last as long as five years, followed by three years ashore. Sea tours can be extended or shore tours can be shortened if the Navy needs to do so. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy Ray Hamilton, 82, of Fort Smith, passed away Monday, January 11, 2016. He was born March 9, 1933 in Van Buren, AR to the late Isaac and Opal Hamilton. He was a retired Policeman from the Fort Smith Police Department. He worked for the US Marshal-Fort Smith Offices-US District Court-Court Security Office after his retirement from the Police Department. He was a member of Belle Point Masonic Lodge #20, Amrita Grotto, U.C.T., V.F.W. and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was preceded in death by a son Isaac Hamilton. Funeral service was held at the Pavilion at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith with burial to follow with Military Honors and Police Honors under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Teddie Hamilton; son, Gary Ray Hamilton and wife Renee of Greenwood, AR; stepdaughter, Lindy Brooks and husband Mike of Fort Smith, AR; six grandchildren, Joshua Hamilton, Angela Wiggins, Laura Brooks, Shannon Pollard, Chris Hamilton and Evelee Hamilton and two great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be members of the Fort Smith Police Department Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be current and retired members of the Fort Smith Police Department. September 25, 1953 Sequoyah County Times Sallisaw, Oklahoma