William Grady Hamrick Jr. passed away on February 1, 2025, at age 89 after an extended battle with Alzheimer's disease. He died in his home in Carrollton surrounded by his family. William was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, business owner, Army reservist, church member, District Attorney, and little league coach. Having grown up on Cedar Street in the 1940's and 1950's, the picture of small-town life in America, he was devoted to his hometown, living in Carrollton for all his 89 years except during college and Army reserve training.

William was born in Carrollton on July 26, 1935, to William Grady Sr. and Clara Williams Hamrick. His father operated Hamrick Oil Company, a Standard Oil distributorship he founded in 1925. Clara clerked at Moore and Cline Department Store on the square before resigning to raise William and his brother Robbie, later Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

William attended Carrollton City Schools, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. Wearing number 14, he was an All-Region wide receiver voted Mr. CHS his senior year. William earned a BS in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech in 1958 where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He trained at Forts McClellan and Jackson as a Lieutenant in the Army Reserves and earned a law degree from Atlanta Law School. He fell for Dottie Sullivan, a beautiful, fun-loving education student who lived down the street, and they were married at the First Methodist Church on June 25, 1961. Dottie later hinted that William's 1958 blue Ford convertible may have improved his case.

William took over management of Hamrick Oil when his father passed away suddenly in 1966. As the family grew to include four young sons, William sold Hamrick Oil to dedicate his time to his law practice. He became Carroll County's first DUI prosecutor in 1983 and chief assistant District Attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit in 1985.

In 1987, William was appointed District Attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit. He was elected to another term in 1988 and as DA, instituted improved victim's assistance programs. In 1992, he joined the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys' Council as Deputy Director. He also served as faculty advisor at the National College of District Attorneys. He retired in 2002.

William's kindness and integrity were a guide to his family. He loved them and taught them to love each other. A dedicated member of our community, William served on the administrative board at the First United Methodist Church, was head usher, and Sunday School Superintendent. He was president of the Carrollton Jaycees, a member of the Lions Club, on the planning commission, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Board of Neva Lomason Library, and a member of Sunset Hills Country Club beginning in 1959.

William cultivated a wide, and sometimes puzzling, range of interests. He competed in Western horse shows on his American Quarter Horse, named Olio Joanne, winning at least a few trophies. He studied sailing, fly fishing, Spanish, leather crafting, guitar, and automotive mechanics. His love of country music led to an ill-advised investment in a supposed promising musician whose name is lost to posterity. He prized his first edition of Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. A eulogy from the book sums up his life well, "Cheerful in all weathers, never shirked a task, splendid behavior."

William is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dottie Sullivan Hamrick; his sons and daughters-in-law Bill and Susan Johnston Hamrick; Bo and C.B. Gunter Hamrick and their children Ellie and Gunter; Andy and Erin Price Hamrick and their children Lila, Van, and Ada Cate; and James Hamrick. William was preceded in death by his parents William and Clara and his brother Robbie.

There will be a private family graveside service. A memorial service will be held at First Methodist Church, 206 Newnan Street, in Carrollton at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Visitation will be in the Fellowship Hall following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tanner Hospice Care or First Methodist Church of Carrollton at https://carrolltonfirst.com/. Please use this link to find the Tanner Hospice Giving Page: www.tanner.org/tanner-health-foundation/opportunities-to-help/hospice-giving

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.