Walter Leroy Hammond

Walter L. Hammond, Sr. (Master Sergeant, Ret. USAF), 93 years old, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle entered into eternal rest while peacefully asleep on Monday, December 16th. He was born on May 1, 1931 in Seminole, OK, the first of two children born to George and Emma (Smith) Hammons.

He graduated from high school in El Reno, OK, then went on to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree from Rose State College before continuing to acquire a bachelor’s degree.

He married Mary Alice Smith of Hobart, OK, in 1956. They had a daughter, Deidre, and a son, Walter L. Hammond, II. They lived in several places around the country and world while Walter served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, but eventually settled in Oklahoma City living there for sixty-two years. He accepted Christ at an early age and after moving to Oklahoma City with his family, they joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

Walter was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha’s Beta Eta Lambda Chapter for 39 years. He was also a member of Bright Day Lodge #165 and Great Western Consistory #34. Walter attained the highest honor in Masonry, the 33rd degree, given to individuals who have performed exceptional service in Masonry.

He is survived by his daughter Deidre Hopkins (OKC), granddaughter Cherice Hopkins (Alexandria), and grandson Brandon Hopkins (Kansas City) along with his wife Elizabeth and their children. Also, his niece Cynthia (Colorado Springs) and her husband Dwight Hunnicutt, niece Dianne Wright (OKC), nephew Oliver Moore (OKC) and his wife Sandra, great niece Eva Burris and family, great nephew Justin Moore and family, and several other family members. Walter was preceded in death by his wife Mary, their son Walter II, his parents, his brother Jeffrey and his wife Blonzella, his brother-in-law Curly Dan Smith, his parents-in-law Willie and Lucinda Smith, his sister-in-law Eva (Smith) and her husband Robert L. Moore, his great nephew Wilbur Wright, II, and his nephew-in-law Wilbur Wright, Sr. Walter dearly loved his family more than anything and was immensely proud of them, leaving them with bits of his knowledge, tons of great memories and the immeasurable wealth of his love.

Acknowledgements

The Hammond Family wishes to express its sincere gratitude for all acts of kindness.