William Joseph Hammond (Bill), of Watertown, MA died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on August 14, 2016. He was 95 years old.
Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Maureen T. Hammond, his children, Harmony Hammond of Galisteo, NM, Terry Kelly of Hamlin, NY, Rand Hammond of Bend, OR, Nikki Hayes of Burlington, VT, Scott Hammond of Cambridge, MA, and James Sylvia of Newton, MA. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by three sisters, Rita, Olive, and Viola and his parents Joseph and Sallie Hammond, all of Illinois. He is also predeceased by his first wife, Harmony Hammond (Jensen) of Woodstock, Vermont.
Bill was born on August 7th, 1921 in Chicago, IL. He was the youngest of four children and was raised on the north side of the City. He attended Lane Technical High School and graduated with a concentration in Art and Mechanical Drawing in 1939. He began his work career as a shoe salesman for the Thom McCann Company in Chicago and was drafted into the Army in November 1942. He trained in several Army bases across the western US and specialized in Radio Communications and Mechanical Engineering. His extraordinary mechanical skills and high intellect contributed to his selection for the Army’s Air Corps flight training program based in Marfa, Texas and he completed his pilot’s training there in early 1945. At Marfa, he logged 315 flight hours in single engine and twin engine fighters and graduated with Class 45-B of the 3025th AAF Base Unit in April, 1945, just as World War II was winding down. He received an Honorable Discharge later that year but immediately joined the Reserves and in 1947 was appointed as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp Reserves. Bill served in the Reserves until his Honorable Discharge in 1957 after rising to the rank of Captain.
After his discharge in 1945, Bill returned to Chicago with his first wife, Harmony Hammond (Jensen), whom he had married in August 1942. He began his long and successful management career in the machine, tool & die business with the Claud S. Gordon Company of Chicago where he spent 22 years. While in Chicago, Bill and Harmony raised their five children: Harmony, Terry, Rand, Nikki, and Scott. They lived primarily in the Chicago suburb of Hometown, IL. While in Hometown and simultaneously advancing his business career, Bill began his lifetime commitment to public service and became the Director of Public Works. He then ran a successful campaign for Mayor of the small, newly incorporated city and was elected twice, serving from 1957 to 1961. In 1964, Bill and his family left Chicago, and he continued his career working in senior management levels at multiple machine tool & die manufacturing companies throughout the northeastern and midwestern US. In this field, Bill was able to combine his extraordinary technical skills with his love for the art of design to advance the industry at some of its largest US companies. In the Boston area, he was the General Manager of several local companies including, Blanchard Machine Company based in Cambridge, MA, Millhench Industrial Supply in New Bedford, MA, and Charm Sciences Inc. in Malden, MA. Bill finally retired from business in 1994 having spent close to 50 years mentoring managers and leading thousands of craftsmen and engineers. After Bill and Harmony’s marriage ended in 1975, he met and married Maureen (Mello) who had a son from a previous marriage, James Sylvia. Despite his demanding professional and civic commitments, Bill played an outsized role in raising all six of his children and took great pride in providing them with the support for them to obtain college degrees and to start their respective careers.
Bill was known for his deep baritone voice and a booming laugh that complimented his arsenal of jokes for any occasion. He had little tolerance for foolishness and idleness. He was frugal but really appreciated first-class. He could be stern with others when they disappointed him, but he was never mean. He had dozens of hobbies ranging from raising horses to jogging to sailing and was known to never sit still - other than to read serious non-fiction books. He was a talented artist, loved the watercolor medium in particular, and leaves behind many cherished paintings and drawings. He enjoyed all genres of music and appreciated all of the performing arts - from musical theater to ballet. He was an accomplished dancer and sang very loudly, if not necessarily in-tune. He ate prime rib, barbecue baby back ribs, and steak as much as possible. He drank V.O. Manhattans on the rocks with Maraschino cherries up to the very end of his life. There was no machine or tool or gadget that Bill couldn’t fix. His practical, real-world knowledge was unlimited and included deep understanding of carpentry, electricity, plumbing, etc. Bill tirelessly used these gifts, patiently taught these skills, and generously contributed many days of his life to building and repairing homes, including those of his children.
Bill took every opportunity to teach life’s most important lessons to all of his children and grandchildren. They remember him for his commitment to hard work, to continuous learning, and to his family. He was a driven man with remarkable energy and an extraordinary intellect that lasted well into his 90’s.
A private service for friends and family will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday August 26th at The Rogers Funeral Home, 380 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory may be sent to VNA Hospice Care at 100 Trade Center Suite G-500., Woburn, MA 01801 or directed to their website, vnahospicecare.org