William Hammer

William “Bill” Hammer, 78, of Benton, passed away September 2, 2021 with his family at his side. Born in Toledo, Ohio to Edward and Jane (Givens) Hammer, he was a U.S. Navy veteran and a licensed electrician.  In his younger years, Bill loved hunting, fishing, playing football, ice skating on Lake Erie, and pretty much anything outdoors. He was in a bowling league with his wife, Sue, and was a bouncer for a time at Samson’s bar in Toledo. He never met a mechanical device that he couldn’t conquer and held many positions from a maintenance man at the Jeep plant in Toledo all the way up to Plant Engineer at ITT Higbie in Searcy, AR. After his children were born, he spent his time being a devoted husband, father and grandpa. He taught his family the values of loyalty, integrity, and responsibility and the importance of family. Although his presence could be intimidating he was just a big teddy bear with a heart of gold once you got to know him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 53 years, Suzanne (Haynes) Hammer, siblings, Dale Hammer and Glenn Hammer, and sister-in-law, Peggy Hammer (Glenn).  He is survived by his children, Craig Hammer (Brenda) and Suzanne Fors (Andrew); brother, James Hammer (Gloria); sister-in-law, Mary Hammer (Dale); grandchildren, Jonathan Jerry, Liana Jerry, Elizabeth Fors, William Hammer, Devin Hammer, Jaxon Hammer and Dakota Hammer; great-grandson, Ethan Hammer; and other extended family and friends.

There will be a service to honor Bill’s life on Friday, September 10 at 2:00 p.m. at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock.  Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Central Arkansas SPCA, 64 Stonewall Dr., Jacksonville, AR 72076. Bill’s online guestbook may be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.