Willie Leroy "Roy" Hamilton, Jr.

Willie Leroy Hamilton, Jr.

Sunday, August 28, 1949 – Friday, October 9, 2026

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Being a loving husband and father was one of Roy’s greatest accomplishments but being a Papa and Great-Papa was his greatest joy.

Willie Leroy Hamilton, Jr., affectionately known as Roy, was born at home on a stormy day in late August 1949 in Milan, Georgia, to the late Willie Leroy Hamilton, Sr., and Annie Elizabeth Dykes Hamilton. He grew up as a member of Milan Baptist Church and later joined McRae First Baptist Church as an adult.

A graduate of Telfair County High School, where he lettered in basketball, baseball, and track, Roy carried his love of athletics into adulthood, playing men’s softball throughout South Georgia for decades.

Roy and his beloved wife of 57 years, Deanie, built a life filled with love, family, and countless cherished memories. Together, they raised their little family, enjoyed vacations to Panama City Beach, and made memories RV camping along the way. They shared a love of sports, cheering on the Georgia Southern University Eagles, the Atlanta Braves, the Chicago Cubs, and Georgia Tech. But perhaps their greatest joy came in the years of watching their family grow and getting to spoil their grandchildren and great-grands rotten. From family vacations to everyday moments spent together, Roy and Deanie built a lifetime of memories that will forever be treasured by the family they loved so dearly.

In 2011, after 40 years of dedicated service, Roy retired as a lineman for Georgia Power. Throughout his career, he worked through major snowstorms and hurricanes, including Hurricane Andrew that struck Miami and Homestead, FL in 1992.

Known as “The PowerMan” over the CB Radio, Roy loved deer hunting at “The Ponderosa,” with his favorite deer hounds and favorite hunting buddies. He also loved mullet fishing at the river, enjoying the time spent outdoors and the traditions that came with it. His passion for shooting sporting clays took him to local courses as well as tournaments.

Civic-minded and committed to serving others, Roy became a member of the McRae Jaycees when he and Deanie moved to McRae in 1977. He served in numerous capacities through the early 2000s and was granted membership in the prestigious Georgia Jaycee Honor Corps. Roy was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 536, joining in 1980, and the Al Sihah Shrine. Through his involvement with the Shriners, he drove numerous local children to Cincinnati and Greenville to receive medical services at Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Being a loving husband and father was one of Roy’s greatest accomplishments but being a Papa and Great-Papa was his greatest joy. He instilled in his grands the importance of valuing education, along with his love of family, sports, and the outdoors. These lessons and the memories he created will continue to live on through the generations who loved him.

In addition to his wife, Deanie Hamilton of McRae, Roy leaves behind his daughter, Shelly Schlenz (Michael) of McRae; granddaughters, Emilee King (Adam) of Milan and Mary Elizabeth Schlenz of Cadwell; great-grandchildren, Adalee and Ledger King; sister, Clara Young of Perry; and sister-in-law, Martha Garrett of Milledgeville; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews who in his heart he held dear.

Roy’s family is especially grateful for his God-given caregivers, Carla Stanfield, Greg Lawson, Montana Anderson, Jariah Munford, and the staff from Coastal Hospice for the care, kindness, and compassion they provided during Roy's most difficult but thankfully brief health issues. These angels on Earth will always be considered family.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 12, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lowes Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at McRae First Baptist Church, with Sam Quick and Kenneth White officiating–with special words from his beloved nephew Chris Young. There will be no graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Coastal Hospice 205 South Tallahassee Street Hazlehurst, GA 31539

McRae First Baptist Church P.O. Box 484 McRae, GA 31055

Memorial contributions may also be made to a charity of your choice.

You may express your condolences online at lowesfuneralhome.net.

Lowes Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.