Stevensville – Art was born November 5, 1943 in Denver Colorado. He died of a sudden heart attack at home on May 3, 2020 at his home in Montana.
He attended high school in Lakewood, Colorado and then joined the Army. He served in the Army and the Reserves. He lived in Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Montana. He settled in the Bitterroot Valley in 1973. He earned his living as a certified welder. He also tried short-order cook, golf caddy, car wash attendant, factory worker, farm and ranch hand, sawyer and log peeler.
On November 24, 1961, Art married Bonnie Mae Baker in Aiken, South Carolina. They had a son and daughter and later divorced. On December 21, 1970, Art married Faye Lindquist in Denver, Colorado. They were married 49+ years when he went to meet the Lord. They had a daughter and son.
Art had many interests in his lifetime but his heart was being in the mountains hiking, camping, cooking outdoors, gathering firewood, fishing and hunting. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, target shooting, bowling and occasionally golf. He had many hobbies including taking pictures, drawing, painting, playing ukulele and guitar, leather and wood working. He got the most enjoyment from working with metal and tinkering. He shared his father’s love of gold panning and later discovered digging for gemstones and learning to facet them. He was a big fan of Mexican food, pizza, and lasagna. Art loved his family and grandchildren and was looking forward to meeting his great-grandchildren. He felt blessed to add two sons-in-law and a daughter-in-law to his family. Art was always eager to learn new things. He went to welding school, took a basic automotive course, blueprint reading, drafting and art classes. Art belonged to the Fort Owen American Legion Post 94 in Stevensville. Art was the head Scout Master of Troop 117 for multiple years and was proud to help some wonderful Scouts make it to Eagle Scout. He belonged to Community Baptist Church and loved to help with Jr Church, Awanas, and Vacation Bible School. He had a deep faith and was a faithful prayer warrior.
Art was preceded in death by all of his grandparents, uncles and aunts, his parents Arthur Ray Hammersley and Mildred Eudora Hammersley, his stepmother Lola Hammersley, first wife Bonnie Hammersley and daughter Wendy Mingus, his brother Thomas Ray Hammersley and brother in-law Greg Lindquist.
He is survived by his wife Faye Hammersley, his brother Don Hammersley, and brother in-law Larry and Darleen Lindquist; his son and daughter-in-law Wade and Laura Hammersley; daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Alex Paul; son Ray Thomas Hammersley; his granddaughters Heather Hammersley, Lacey Hobert and boyfriend Jade Miller, grandson Jessie Mingus; his great grandchildren Edan Hobert, Elijah Hobert, Greyson Miller, Keira Miller and Kyan Dorin; nieces and nephews Lynn Larsen, Mathew Hammersley, Paula Hardin, Mary Ann Schaum, Vicki Rowan, Valerie Lindquist, and Vincent Lindquist; adopted sons David Hubbel and Jason Rennels; adopted daughters Kimberly Corrigan, Christina Short, and Melissa McFarland; adopted granddaughters Rita Bundren, Tara Penny, Hiedi Bennet, Amanda Spencer, and Jessica Horsfall.
A celebration of life will be held at the Community Baptist Church in Stevensville on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 11 a.m. The family asks that donations be made to either the Community Baptist Church, Western Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery, American Legion Post #94 or Samaritan’s Purse. The family would also like to send a special thanks out to the first responders, especially 3 Mile Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Office, Marcus Daly and Whitesitt Funeral Home. Arrangements under the direction of Whitesitt Funeral Home. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Paula says
A full life, lived well.