VENICE, Fla. — Mr. William H. "Bill" Hammons Jr., 76, of Venice, Fla., passed away Friday, June 26, 2009, in Tidwell Hospice Home in Sarasota, Fla., with his loving and devoted wife by his side.

Born Aug. 14, 1932, in Indianapolis, Ind., he was the son of William H. and Ruth Lucille (Begley) Hammons. He was educated in Indiana schools. He was a graduate of Ohio State University in Colombus, Ohio with the Class of 1951.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy from April 7, 1952, through March 29, 1956.

Bill married JoSetta R. Ralston on July 10, 1993 at the First Presbyterian Church in Morris. He was employed with Varland Bus Service in Morris for several years. With his wife, they were employed driving school buses with Saratoga School. He then retired and moved to Ft. Myers, Fla., in 1999.

Survivors include his loving wife, JoSetta R. Hammons, of Venice, Fla.; one daughter, Debra Hammons, of Morris; one son, James (Suzanne) Hammons, Ely, Minn.; five grandchildren, Nicole, Shawna, Cody, Timothy and Christopher; three great-granddaughters, Bayli, Olivia and Madigan; mother of James and Debra, Shirley Hammons, of Morris; mother- and father-in-law, Mary and Roy Ralston, of Morris; brother-in-law, Jay Ralston, of Springfield; and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may gather at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris. The service will proceed to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood for military honors to be conducted at 2:30 p.m. by the ALNC Memorial Squad.

Online condolences can be made at www.ucdavisandsons.com.

U.C Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call 815-942-0084.