Surviving members of the Hamner family

[twinkle]

I cannot find the thread that existed back in 2010 on this so - if you will all bear with me for raising a new thread on this topic. The 2010 thread noted that 'Elizabeth', 'Jason' and 'Bill' were still living as well as Earl Jnr...or have I got that wrong...?
Either way, which of Earl's brothers and sisters are still living? I have just watched The Braggart (Hobie Shank) and felt a little sad at the closing narrative where JB talks about the little ball park no longer being there, 'only the ghosts of the children they once were' and that hit my girly-weepy nerve. To be part of a such a large, close and loving family that had weathered so much together in a world that no longer exists and then as the passage of time moves along to watch as one by one all those brothers and sister pass away. It must be so hard for someone like Earl Hamner. It would be for me

So, back to the original question...who is still alive?

Wow, hope I haven't put a downer on anyone's day there...

[Forum Administrator]

I do know that his sister Marion and his brother Jim have both passed away. I also know that both of his other sisters, Audrey and Nancy, are still living. I'm not sure about the other brothers though.

[River]

Clifton Hamner was the model for Jason. Earl describes Cliff as a "loving outdoor man. A faithful friend as well as a brother." Cliff died in 1990 and is survived by his three children, Diane, Cliff Jr. and Donna.

Marion Hamner Hawkes inspired the character of Mary Ellen. She described herself as the "tomboy" of the family. Marion liked to play golf and paint. She created a series of note cards and a cookbook. Marion lived in the Williamsburg, VA area with her husband Glenn, a retired psychologist. They served as volunteers at Colonial Williamsburg's Information Center. They have two sons, Robert and William.Marion passed away on November 22, 2004 at the age of 74.

The model for Ben Walton came from two brothers. Bill Hamner (l) died in 1989. His wife, Brenda, lives in the Richmond, Virginia area. Bill's three children are Harold, Hope and Gail. Paul Hamner (r) lives in Tom's River, New Jersey and is retired from the Baker Shoe Store chain. Paul and his wife, Etta, have two children, Paul Jr. and Doris.

James Hamner, the youngest brother died on April 1, 2004. He continued to live in the Hamner homeplace in Schuyler, Virginia until shortly before his death. Jim was a retired Senior Systems Analyst for The University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. Jim frequently visited with fans in Schuyler who cheerfully called him "Jim Bob."

Also found a family tree interesting:
www.the-waltons.com/hamner%20tree.pdf

[Forum Administrator]

Thank you for that info. I knew it was out there somewhere.
I feel honored that I actually got to meet Jim Hamner and Marion Hamner Hawkes at Waltons' reunions in Schuyler/Charlottesville before they passed away.

[twinkle]

Thankyou for filling me in on that. Nice to know he still has some siblings alive:)

[Deleted]

Is it just me who is sad to read of their passing? I doubt it though because all here care. However seeing the family pass away does make me feel like it is the ending of an era. An era that will never return.

[twinkle]

Kelvin it makes me sad too and you don't really hear in the news when a Hamner sibling passes away, you find out online or when you google the family. I have just watched The Pony Cart and it is so poignant where Martha Corinne tells Olivia that the sadness of growing old lies in the gradual loss of friends and kin. Coming from such a large and close family Hamner must feel that keenly.

[Deleted]

twinkle, so beautifully put, that is indeed the sadness of old age

[River]

It is sad to think about the actors that portrayed the family getting older and passing away too.