Lewis “Sonny” Hamilton

Published 9:31 am Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Lewis Hamilton, “Sonny,” as all his family and friends called him, went to be united with the Lord and his heavenly family on Friday, May 16, 2025.

He was born in Polk County to the late William Paul Hamilton and Flora Lee Ford Hamilton. Also preceded by a grandson, Andrew Hamilton.

As an only child, he grew up with his dad and his aunts and uncle, Bessie and Bill Collins, and Grace B. Hamilton.

After high school, he graduated from Cecil’s Business College with a degree in Business. He worked at Tryon Processing for a while until he landed a job at Lockwood Greene Engineers. He worked in Spartanburg as a Project Manager at Lockwood Greene for over 35 years. He married Janice Sain and had two children, Paula Diane and William Matthew.

His love for farming and cars kept him very busy. He would also help his Aunt Grace at the Tryon Toymakers, where she worked as a painter. Sonny would help Mr. Gilbert at the Tryon toymakers make the wooden toys when he was not able to.

He was an avid Oldsmobile man. One of his favorites was a 1969 gold and white Hurst olds. He also loved Corvettes, especially his 1979 black L-82. BSA motorcycles were a part of his collection. His love for Massey-Ferguson tractors was right up there with his love for the Beacon Drive-In in Spartanburg. Farming and working in his dad’s and uncle’s sawmill is where you would find him when he wasn’t at Lockwood Greene. 

Sonny was a talented musician. He played the piano and the banjo for over 50 years. He was a member of Bethlehem Methodist Church in Mill Spring, N.C. Later in life, he attended Roebuck First Baptist Church.

He leaves behind a daughter, Paula Edwards (Phillip), and a son, Matthew (Kathy); grandchildren, Alex Tapp, Avery Hamilton, Chase Hamilton, Wilson Edwards, Jonathon Edwards, Jayden Hamilton and Sydney Hamilton; great-grandchildren, Addison, Nevaeh and Bennett.

Visitation will be at Tryon First Baptist Church on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 12 noon to 1 pm.

Funeral Service will begin at 1 pm. A private family graveside will follow after the service.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Condolences to the family can be made to www.sandersfuneralandcremation.com

Sanders Funeral Home

Columbus