George William Hammel

George Bill William Hammel Middletown, RI - George Bill William Hammel, 84, of the RI Veterans Home, Bristol, RI, formerly of 24 Bourbon Street, Portsmouth, died Sunday, May 17, 2009 at Rhode Island Veterans Home, Bristol, RI.He was the husband of the late Daleza Pinto Hammel. Born in Pickneyville, IL on February 22, 1925, he was the son of the late Harry and Wilma Wilson Hammel.Mr. Hammel had worked as a welder, pipefitter, and ship builder for over 45 years, retiring in 1999. He had worked for 20 years at the Newport Naval Base, 5 years at the Newport Ship Yard, and for 7 years building yachts at Melville in Portsmouth. Mr. Hammel served his country proudly as a 20 year Veteran of the US Navy, serving during WWII in the Pacific, in the countrys of Japan, China, and the Aleutian Islands and was a member of the Navy Seabees. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association. Mr. Hammel was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, playing cards, gardening and weekend gatherings. He is survived by his son Bradford G. Hammel of Bristol, RI, his daughters Barbara D. Bauer of Portsmouth, RI and Sherry E. Hammel of Plymouth, MA, his grandson Philip Bauer of Minneapolis, MN and his great grandson Nicholas Bauer of Minneapolis, MN.He was the brother of the late Betty Petri, Mary Elizabeth Hammel and Doris G. Hammel. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 from 9-10am in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.Burial to follow in Newport Memorial Park, Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to Diabetes Foundation of RI, 209 Cottage Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.