Ellis Hamm Jr.

MSgt. William Ellis Hamm, Jr., USMC (Ret.), 86, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2026, in the room he built with his brother, David, and their cousin, Kenny, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held on September 22, 2026, at 11:00am at St. John's Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors will follow at 1:00pm at the Beaufort National Cemetery.

Ellis was born and raised in Biloxi, Mississippi, and proudly claimed heritage to the Mississippi Choctaw Tribe. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from recruit training at Parris Island in December 1957. He proudly served his country for 21 years as an air traffic controller, including a tour in Chu Lai, Vietnam, from 1968-1969.

While stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina, he met Cheryl, the love of his life, on September 13, 1974. The two went on to build a life together filled with love, family, and more than five decades of memories.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1978, Ellis managed Dr. Tire in Beaufort before beginning a more-than-40-year career in life insurance and financial planning.

Ellis was a loving husband, father, PawPaw, brother, and friend. He was happiest on the water and spent countless hours fishing, including many tournaments alongside his best friend, Nick Russell. He also loved driving his Corvette around town.

Throughout his life, and especially during its most difficult seasons, Ellis drew strength from his Lutheran faith and from the discipline, courage, and resilience instilled in him during his years as a United States Marine. Those foundations shaped the way he faced life -- with determination, loyalty, and a deep devotion to the people he loved.

Above all, Ellis built a beautiful life for his family. He was always ready to share his wisdom with his children and grandchildren, leaving them with lessons and stories they will carry throughout their lives. We are profoundly grateful for the decades of love, laughter, and memories he gave us. His light will continue to shine through all of us.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Cheryl, of 51 years; his daughter, Emmie Dilsaver, her husband, Ryan, and their sons, Carter and Levi; his daughter, Dr. Ashley L. Hamm and her son, Darby; his son Chris Walker, his wife, Paula Rhodes, and their son, Evan; his daughter Sharon Blanchette, her husband Mike, and their children and grandchildren; his son, Charles, his wife, Jill, and their daughter; his son, Joe, his wife, Chris, and their children; his son, David, his wife, Alesia, and their children, and grandchildren; his brother, David, his wife, Cissy, and their children and grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and, of course, his faithful companion, Wally.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the healthcare professionals who cared for Ellis throughout the years and to the team at Mirasol Hospice Care, who treated him with extraordinary care, dignity, and respect during his final days.