Rev. Billie Hamlin, born March 19, 1928, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, October 22, 2015. A Celebration of Life Service will be Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 3 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home with Pat Lawrence officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Michael Hamlin, Nick Hamlin, Clint Davis and Shane Mitchell.
He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Betty Ingram Hamlin; three children, Bob Hamlin, Rebecca Sue Hamlin and Bryan Lee Hamlin; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Rev Billie Hamlin was born in Clay County, Alabama to Othel Robert Hamlin and Dewey Bell Stringfellow Hamlin. He is preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers.
In 1950 they moved to Gary, Indiana. Both Bill and Betty came to know the Lord in 1955 at Black Oak Baptist Church. He was ordained as a minister in September 1956 and pastored his first church in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1960-1962. He pastored churches in Poole, Kentucky and Central City, Kentucky before moving to Decatur in 1966. For years he served as interim pastor in many churches, the longest was six years at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Massey.
He was a self-employed contractor for many years until retirement in 1990. After retirement, he enjoyed repairing lawnmowers and bicycles. He volunteered to help build handicap ramps and other projects around Morgan County. They were members of Parkview Baptist Church for many years then moved to Athens in 2012 and found a church home at Berea Baptist Church.
His wife, Betty Jean Ingram Hamlin was employed by Sears for 25 years and retired in 1992.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Limestone County and Alabama Baptist Children’s Home.
