Walter L. Hamlin Deerfield Walter L. Hamlin, 85, of Deerfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 15, 2007 at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center with his family by his side. Walt was born in Yorkville in 1921, the son of Henry and Viola Carmichael Hamlin. He attended Whitesboro schools and in 1942 joined the United States Marine Corps, serving as a radio operator during the Pacific Theater and China during World War II. Following his military career, Walter returned to the Utica area and began his career with the Utica Drop Forge / Kelsey Hayes Corporation as a Purchasing Executive, retiring in 1982. In 1952, Walter married Catherine Manning of Utica, and during their 52 years of marriage, raised seven children. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Walter was an avid outdoorsman, spending over 70 years fishing Oneida Lake and hunting the flats of Yorkville. He was a soft-spoken man with a subtle sense of humor, who enjoyed beating family and friends at a good game of pinochle or pool. Walter was a member of St. Mark's Church, North Utica. Walter is survived by daughters, Margaret Buzzard of Canastota, Kathleen and Robert Nasto of Liverpool, Susan and Mark Ullrich of Manlius; sons, William and Lori Hamlin of New Hartford, Lawrence and Dianne Hamlin of Illinois, Richard and Mona Hamlin of Cicero, Robert and Karen Hamlin of Schuyler, as well as by 13 cherished grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and his wife, James and Pat Manning of Brewerton, NY. Walter is predeceased by his beloved wife, Catherine in 2004, by a grandson, James Hamlin, and by his sister, Jean Hamlin. Mr. Hamlin's funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 9:15 am from the Heintz Funeral Service, Inc., 408 Herkimer Road, North Utica, and at 10:00 am at St. Mark's Church, North Utica, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment, with military honors, will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Tuesday evening, from 5 ? 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Deerfield Fire Department in Walt's memory. Walter's family would like to extend their thanks to the staff of Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center, with a special thanks to Lori, for their compassion and support shown to Walter and his family during this difficult time.