Roll Call Tribute

Published in (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram on Apr. 10, 2016

Wilton Newton Hammond(1927 - 2016)
Wilton N. Hammond, 88, was called to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, as a result of recent illness. Memorial service: 1 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3701 Birchman Ave., Fort Worth, Dr. Ted Kitchens officiating. A reception will be held following the memorial service in the Great Room of Christ Chapel Bible Church. Interment: Private in Greenwood Memorial Park. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, memorials may be given in honor of Wilton N. Hammond to the Benevolence Fund, Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3701 Birchman Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76107; the Union Gospel Mission, 1321 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76102; or the Eugene Carter and John J. Burgess Civil Engineering Scholarships in care of the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. Wilton Hammond was born July 4, 1927, in Lampasas to Wade and Grace Newton Hammond. After graduating from Lampasas High School in May 1944, Wilton enrolled in Texas A&M in June 1944. His time at A&M, however, was interrupted when he entered the U.S. Coast Guard in May 1945, serving until June 1946. Hammond returned to A&M in the fall of 1946 and graduated in 1948 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. Following graduation from A&M, Hammond went to work for the Texas Highway Department in the Fort Worth District in Granbury and Stephenville, specializing in the farm to market roadway projects. He later served in the State Bridge Division in Austin. In 1955, Hammond was promoted to Fort Worth District Design Engineer. On March 2, 1956, Wilton joined the Fort Worth consulting partnership of Carter and Burgess. Wilton began a successful career at Carter and Burgess spanning a 52-year period, serving as president and chairman, and was chairman emeritus at the time of his retirement in 2008. During his tenure with the firm, Hammond helped the organization evolve from a local engineering and planning consulting business to a 3,300-employee, nationally recognized multi-discipline design corporation with 26 offices throughout the United States. Wilton spent most of his engineering career specializing in the design and construction of over 28 civil and military airports, and transportation facilities throughout Texas. Of special significance to the Fort Worth/Dallas area, from 1966 to 1972 Wilton served as principal in charge and design manager for Carter and Burgess in the joint venture with Forrest & Cotton of Dallas to design a major portion of site development, runways, aprons and terminal infrastructure improvements for the new Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. "Wilton has had his fingerprints on every aspect of this airport," said Clay Paslay, former executive vice president of airport development at DFW International Airport. Following graduation from Texas A&M, Hammond was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy Reserve. He served in the U.S. Navy for 42 years in active or reserve service until his retirement in 1987 at the rank of commander. Mr. Hammond was active in many civic, fraternal and professional organizations. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth, a member of Arlington Heights Masonic Lodge 1184, and other Masonic organizations in Fort Worth and Texas. Professional associations include Texas Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Arbitration Association. Hammond served as the president of the Consulting Engineers Council of Texas in 1990-1991, and a director of the American Consulting Engineering Council in 1993-1995. He was a member of the Fort Worth Club and Ridglea Country Club. Since graduation from Texas A&M, he was an active member of the A&M Association of Former Students and the A&M Foundation. Hammond served as president of the Fort Worth Chapter of the Association of Former Students in 1966. On Oct. 25, 1952, Wilton married the love of his life, Camille Fuller. Together they enjoyed traveling in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Pacific. The Hammonds were active supporters of Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living ministry. Wilton and Camille joined Christ Chapel Bible Church in 2004. An active member of Christ Chapel, Wilton served on Building Committee for the church sanctuary and Link building. Wilton was a member of the Sage's Sunday School Class and Band of Brothers Bible Study. He also actively attended Bible Study Fellowship. Wilton Hammond was preceded in death by his parents, and in 2012 by Camille, his loving wife of 59 years. Many thanks to special friend and caregiver, Donna Schneider, who assisted Mr. and Mrs. Hammond for several years. Wilton was loved by the Schneider family, and he was an adopted family member. Survivors: Cousins, Howard and Linda Yeary of White Bluff, Betty and Jim Skinner of Lampasas, Kristen Chavis of Lampasas and Vera Newton of Lampasas; goddaughters, Debbie Hofstedt of Santa Clara, Calif., Wendy Wilson of Fort Worth, Jana Frech of Fort Worth and Candy Jackson of Fort Worth; and many friends.