Roy L. Hamilton, 83, of Stewartville, Minn., formerly of Elkton, Minn., passed peacefully on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, at the Stewartville Care Center.

Roy Lee Hamilton was born Sept. 8, 1929, at LeRoy, Minn., the son of Roy G. and Nora (Felper) Hamilton. Roy graduated from Elkton High School and was married to Carol Kraft on Sept. 10, 1950, at the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, Minn. Roy worked for the Hormel Foods Company for 21 years. In 1959, they moved to the farm north of Elkton where Roy farmed as well as worked at the Hormel Company. Roy also operated a used car sales business on the farm. In 2004, the Hamilton’s moved to Stewartville.

Roy was an avid sports fan and played softball and was a bowler. He also enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing, making several trips to Canada with his sons, family and neighbors. Roy loved farming and raising beef cattle. He enjoyed playing cards, and later in life he and Carol traveled a great deal, spending winters in Arizona and traveling to Europe, Hawaii and enjoying a number of cruises.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Norbert Hamilton.

Roy is survived by his wife, Carol Hamilton of Stewartville, Minn.; sons and daughters-in-law, Ron Hamilton, Elkton, Minn., Randy and Kris Hamilton, Preston, Minn., Russ and Joanne Hamilton, Dexter, Minn.; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; brother and sisters-in-law, Earl and Ruth Hamilton, Dexter, Peggy Hamilton Queensland, Elkton, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Elinor Hertle, Austin, Verna Kraft, Rochester, Minn.; brother-in-law, Wilbur Kraft, Bemidji, Minn.; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin with the Rev. Susan Rector Li officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Minn. Visitation will be held for one hour before the service at the church on Friday morning. Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Roy will be missed greatly by all.