Wellsville - Richard Pearson Hamilton, 82, passed away at his home September 9, 2005 surrounded by his family. He was born August 9th, 1923 in Cayuga Vermillion County Indiana to Richard Hargraves Hamilton and Lottie May Pearson Hamilton. He was the oldest of five children. When he was young the family relocated from Indiana to Prescott, Arizona for health reasons.

At age 16, Richard joined the Army for 2 years. He then enlisted in the Navy, where he served on the U.S.S Hornet as a fire-control man during World War II.

He met his sweetheart, Elna Haslam, at a rodeo where her brother Dell Haslam was the stock contractor. They were married August 23rd, 1954 in Ely, Nevada. The marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on March 4th, 1957.

The couple settled in Wellsville, Utah on Elna's family farm, where they raised eight children. Which Richard referred to as the, "five meanest boys that ever lived and the three prettiest dolls that ever walked the face of the Earth."

Richard was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and competed in the bareback and bull riding events. He was a convert to the LDS church and became very dedicated in temple work and service. He also attended Utah State University and retired from Hill Air Force Base after 20 years of service. Richard was also employed at USU' s Caine Dairy as a night-watchman.

He is survived by his wife, Elna. Children: Dixon (Marlene) Hamilton; Thatcher, Idaho. Ginger (Jeff) Fronk; Tremonton, Utah. Sam (Lisa) Hamilton; Smithfield, Utah. Tim (Gaylene) Hamilton; Wellsville, Utah. Teresa (Jeff) Palmer; Logan, Utah. Shaun (Sheri) Hamilton; Wellsville, Utah. Richie (Kris) Hamilton; Pendleton, Oregon. Hollie (Darren) Day; Wellsville, Utah. One sister Mary Jane (Mannard) Lee; Huachuca City, Arizona. 30 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

He is preceeded in death by his parents. One brother, Luther Hamilton, sisters Edna Mae Blain, and Rosemary Hamilton(infant).

Funeral services will be held at the Wellsville Stake Center, on the comer of Center and Main, on September 13th, 2005 at 12:00. A viewing will be held Monday, September 12th at 6:00 to 8:00 at the Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan. A viewing will be held at 10:00 Tuesday prior to the services. Interment will be in the Wellsville Cemetery with a military tribute. Condolences may be sent to the family at .