William Hamer, Sr. “Wild Bill” passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on Friday, April 30, 2021.  Born in Philadelphia, PA, he grew up in Blackwood, NJ.  Bill and his former spouse, Zoe Ann (nee Collins), raised seven children.  He is survived by six of his children, William E. Hamer, Jr., Donna Morlino (Frank), Todd E. Hamer (Ann), Karen Hamer, Tami Vishio, and James E. Hamer.  Loving grandfather to Jeanine, Nicole, Michael, Rachel, Madelyn, Becca, Fiona, William, Jason, Justin, and Jacob.  Proud great-grandfather to Grace and Nathan.  He is loved by many nieces and nephews and countless friends.  Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas E. and Christina, his brothers Thomas E. Jr. and Robert Hamer, his daughter Holly O’Hare, son-in-law Dennis O’Hare, and his grandson, Joshua E. Hamer.

Hamer lived one hell of a life.  He made his career as a blacksmith, and his true passions were his family and friends, the rodeo, and thoroughbred horse racing.  Throughout his rodeo career, Wild Bill competed in bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, and team roping.  Some of the best times of his life were spent traveling with rodeo buddies, following the rodeo trail all along the east coast from Maine to Florida.  Wild Bill competed for over 25 years at the Cowtown Rodeo in Woodstown, NJ.

Bill also trained thoroughbred race horses for over 20 years, at race tracks all over the Northeast.  Some of the best times were many summers spent traveling with friends and family to participate in the meets at the Tri-County Fairs in Massachusetts.  Thoroughbred racing never made Hamer a prince, but he did collect his share of win pictures, and it did bring him a lot of fun, amazing memories, and lifelong friendships that he treasured all his life.

Wild Bill was a man’s man and a lady’s man, with a sense of style and charisma that was uniquely his own.  He had razor sharp wit and he was a practical joker, loved to laugh, and he was a great story and joke teller.  He was a history buff, a trivia buff and a lover of animals, an outstanding horseman, and a huge Eagles and Phillies fan.  Most importantly, he was loved and admired by everyone who knew him.

Family and friends are invited to attend his visitation Thursday, 1:30-3:30 PM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp.  Funeral service 3:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3 Eves Drive, Suite 310 Marlton, NJ 08053. www.alz.org

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”