Wallace Franklin Hamilton
October 10, 1943 - January 2, 2023

Wallace (Wally) Franklin Hamilton, 79, beloved father and grandfather, of Everett, WA, after falling ill shortly before Christmas, peacefully passed away on January 2nd, 2023.
Wally was born on October 10th, 1943, to Steven and Dorothy Hamilton, in Downey, CA. Soon after he was born, the family moved to Colorado where he spent most of his childhood and early adult life. After graduating from East High School in 1961, he pursued a degree in mathematics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
While attending the University, he fell in love with his roommate's sister, Anita Etherton, whom he married in 1964(?), going on to have three children, Russell, Jennifer, and Amy. They later divorced. He married again in 1989 to Sherri Moser.
After achieving his initial degree, Wally later pursued and received a Master's in Vocal Performance, also from the University of Colorado, validating a lifelong love of music. Stemming from this time, his children fondly remember his participation in CU's Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. Memories of Iolanthe, HMS Pinafore, and specifically when he landed the leading role as the Mikado in The Mikado. The children enjoyed listening to him practice and attending many performances including those at Opera Colorado where he had roles in La Boehme, The Merry Widow, La Traviata, and many others. There were also frequent run-throughs of "If I were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof booming from the living room. Along with his family, Wally was also an avid participant in the music program at his church. Choirs, shows, special performances; this often meant singing at three different Christmas Eve services.
Wally created a long career in computer science and computer related sales working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Control Data Corporation. Never fully retired, Wally took on other positions as well, owning a video store with a coffee shop, working for Kennelly Keys, Puget Sound Energy and selling beautiful Ship Models online.
Besides exposing the children to the world of Opera and musical theater, Wally was also a connoisseur of all instruments with strings. In early years this translated to songs by the campfire accompanied by Wally on guitar or banjo. His love for folk and blue grass was clear. Wally's repertoire grew to include Viola, Mandolin, Bass and Violin as well (and maybe a few others). He was a part of many blue-grass, Irish, and folk ensembles throughout the years.
In addition to his love for music, Wally engaged in multiple other interests. Wally was an avid fisherman who enjoyed the serenity of dropping a line, as well as the more active form of casting thru fly fishing. He loved tying his own flies and spending the day on the shoreline. Wally always enjoyed a good meal, so he made sure he also knew how to cook a good meal. He always had "something to bring to the table" for any holiday or family event. Wally was also a woodworking enthusiast and created multiple and beautiful works for himself, family, and friends, including cradles, rocking "creatures", homework tables, and garden benches.
Wally had always tried to incorporate the teaching of music into his life. In the later part of his life, Wally again combined his devotion to music with his commitment to his church. This brought him the joy of becoming the interim choral director at the Mukilteo Presbyterian Church where he will be fondly remembered. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Steven & Dorothy Hamilton, brother Steven, and son-in-law, Jim Blankenship. He is survived by his wife, Sherri, and his three children, Russell Hamilton, Amy (Darrin) Keith, and Jennifer Blankenship, as well as grandchildren, Gabe, Corwin, Nova, Andrew, Celeste, Samuel, and Spencer. Services will be held at the Mukilteo Presbyterian Church on February 25th at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Wally's name to Save the Music

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