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Willis James Hamilton, 75, of Storm Lake died March 20, 2025, at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.
Funeral Mass will take place Wednesday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 25, from 5-8 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Willis was born Aug. 20, 1949, the son of James “Bones” R. and Jean (Edson) Hamilton. He was baptized in 1949 and confirmed in 1963 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake, where he remained a lifelong member. Willis attended grade school at St. Mary’s Catholic School. He then attended high school at Storm Lake Public School, graduating in 1967. Willis went on to graduate from Creighton University in 1974 with a Juris Doctor. His life work was dedicated to serving as an attorney.
On Nov. 26, 1976, Willis was united in marriage to Joan Berry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The couple was blessed with two children, Leah and Zach. He later married Juanita Raveling on Sept. 19, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nev. Together, they were blessed with Elias and Aristotle.
Willis was a member of the Iowa Trial Lawyers, Iowa Bar Association, Iowa Association of Workers Compensation and Lake Creek Country Club. In his free time, Willis enjoyed golfing and playing cards. He was a big Chicago Cubs fan and looked forward to Iowa Hawkeyes football and basketball games. More than anything, Willis treasured time with his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish Willis’s memory include his beloved wife Juanita Raveling of Storm Lake; children: Leah (Chris) Clausen of Norwalk; Zach Hamilton of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Elias Hamilton of Storm Lake; Aristotle Hamilton of Storm Lake; grandchildren: Hayden and Fletcher Clausen; Miabelle Hamilton; brothers: Steven (Diane) Hamilton of Storm Lake; Tim (Terri) Hamilton of Des Moines; sisters: Martha Hamilton of St. Paul, Minn.; Theresa (Chuck) Watkins of Vergas, Minn.; Mary (Keith Kenny) Hamilton of Schaller; Maggie (James “Chip”) Hamilton-Beyer of Knoxville; nephew Jason (Melea) Raveling of Storm Lake; extended family and many friends.
Willis was preceded in death by his parents; and brother James R. Hamilton Jr.
