The son of the late Willie and Jewel Washington Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton was born in Sylvester, GA and was a 1966 graduate of Queensland High School in Fitzgerald. He obtained a Bachelors degree from Tuskegee University, and was the owner/operator of Joe's Handi Services. He was a devout member of the Nazareth Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by five siblings, Willie B. and John Hamilton, Arthur Washington, Rev. Joe Powell and Louise H. Davis, and a brother-in-law, Thomas Wright.

Survivors include: his daughters, Valanita H. Schnyder (Al) and Sharmine Y. Hamilton; two grandchildren, Clayton P. Schnyder III and Amber D. Schnyder; nine siblings, Robert Hamilton (Mary), Calvin Hamilton (Betty), Solomon McClendon, James Hamilton, Annie Harper, Madeline Gilbert (Mickey), Barbara Carter (Mickey), Rachel Wright and Roberta Williams; a brother-in-law, Robert L. Davis; the mother of his children, Patricia Hamilton Hardwick Hall; a host nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.