Donald V. Hamilton, age 86, of Verona, WI, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Willow Pointe Memory Care in Verona. He was born on February 8, 1925, on a farm in the Town of Springdale, the son of the late Stanley and Ella (Sponem) Hamilton. Don attended many rural schools. Don served honorably as a staff sergeant during WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 15th Army in the European Theater as a member of the 451st Bombardment, 725th Bomb Squad as a nose gunner in a B-24 Liberator Bomber. He completed thirty five missions over enemy territory including over Normandy France on D-day. Don received many decorations and citations including the air medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and he also received the Certificate of Valor in recognition of courageous service in aerial combat from Major General Nathan F. Twining commander of the Fifteenth Air Force. An interesting article written about Don in Stars and Stripes newspaper during the war stated, "Thirty five missions ago Ham' and six of his friends left the ground crew and volunteered to fly combat as armorers, radio engineers, and gunners. The blond good looking nose gunner is the only member of that raliant group to survive fate by narrow margins'. Twice his airplane was ripped and torn by flak and so damaged that forced landings were necessary. One of the amazing angles to him is that flak and bullets punctured the nose turret twenty nine times without scratching him. The boys in the 725th bomb squad point him out as the Jinx Breaker' and hope he would find his way back to the squadron." On March 20th, 1946, Don was united in marriage to Bernice Klassy at New Glarus. They enjoyed sixty five years of marriage. Don and Bernice were blessed with two daughters Donna and Beverly. The couple farmed in the Blanchardville area for several years. While farming Don served as President for the Parent Teachers Organization and was Commander of the Dobson and Johnson American Legion Post #142 of Blanchardville. In 1958 Don moved the family to Verona and worked with his brother Larry building homes in the Hamilton Addition and the greater Verona area. He later worked as a supervisor for Verona Pre-stressed Concrete Co. and J. W. Peters Pre-stressed Concrete of Burlington, WI erecting concrete bridge beams on the interstates throughout Wisconsin, beams for schools and commercial buildings throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Don also erected the top bleacher sections of Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He later worked as a foreman in the truss/rafter shop for Verona and Brunsell Lumber Co. from where he retired in 1990. Don was proud to be a veteran, he was a life member of the Mason-Lindsay American Legion Post #385 and VFW #8635 of Verona. In his retirement Don volunteered his time, talent, and energy, in designing the new American Legion building in Verona. He also volunteered to work as the general contractor and laborer in constructing the building. Additionally Don worked part time at Cecor Manufacturing Co. in Verona and as a school crossing guard for Verona Police Department. Don loved the little children he helped to cross the street while serving as a crossing guard. Don was active in the Verona Variety Shows, called "Stunt Night", a fund raising organization for the school. Don played "Spike Jones" the bandleader in one of the stunts. In 1994 Don was Grande Marshall for the Verona Hometown Day's Parade. He loved to dance, and was a very good polka dancer. Don especially loved square dancing, and he served as President for the Verona Square Dance Club promoting square dancing throughout Wisconsin. He was also a member and served as Vice President for the Bell Ringer Camping Group, a chapter of the Good Sam organization. He loved to travel with his wife Bernice in his truck and fifth wheel camper. They camped in almost every state in America. Don loved wintering in Florida and taking a cruise to the Bahamas for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The couple also traveled extensively throughout Canada and Mexico. Don loved a challenging game of horseshoes, playing shuffle board, bowling, and a good game of cards. He played Euchre in the Verona Euchre League and Deer Creek Sportsmen Club. Don also liked fishing in Canada, pheasant hunting in South Dakota, and deer hunting in Wisconsin with his brother-in-law Herbert Klassy and his Klassy nephews. Don also designed and made dollhouses complete with furnishings and furniture. Don has an extremely generous heart and was always willing to help his neighbors, friends, and family as he was able. Don's memory will be forever cherished by all that knew him. He was also a member of the Salem United Church of Christ in Verona, where he served as a church Elder and literally layed the cornerstone of the church in 1964. Don is survived by his wife Bernice, a daughter Beverly Hamilton of Verona, two sisters Dorothy Hustad of New Glarus and Joyce Alme of Stoughton, a sister-in-law Bernice Hamilton of Verona, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter Donna in 1999, parents, a son-in-law Robert Berthold Jr. in 2010, three brothers Parnell (Arlene and Murillia) Hamilton, Eugene Hamilton, and Larry (Genevieve) Hamilton, two sisters Lavona (La Verne) Miller and Fern (William) McMahan, and brothers-in-law Vincent Alme and Donald Hustad. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at the American Legion Post #385, 207 Legion St., Verona, WI with the Rev. Mark Yurs officiating with burial in the Verona Cemetery with full military honors. Relatives and friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until time of service on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at the American Legion Post #385. Don suffered for twelve years in dignity with the ravages of dementia. We would like to thank those who supported Don and his family through the many years; Ruth Miller, Marietta Gilbertson, Teddy Zweifel, Frieda Rotar, Ernie Stuber, and Pete Way, also Steve Wood and Dee who walked with Don, and the wonderful people with HospiceCare, Inc. A memorial fund has been established.