Bill Hummel: ‘the hardest working veteran that we have ever known’

This section includes announcements of important events in our lives–births, graduations, engagements, marriages, and deaths. If you want to share an event with your community, please send a photo and a written piece to [email protected].

William Hummel entered the US Navy at Des Moines, Iowa in September 1962, and traveled by train to Naval Training Center in San Diego, California to begin his maritime service.

After completing Navy Recruit Training he was assigned aboard the USS Ernest G. Small (DDR 838) which was homeported at Long Beach, California. He served aboard her from December 1962 to August 1963.

During this assignment, he made a 45 day cruise to the Western Pacific (WestPac) escorting carriers. They docked for one day each in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Yokosuka Japan. And, then the ship headed to the Hunters Point Shipyards in San Francisco, in dry dock for repairs.

He then sailed to Seattle, Washington for SeaFair Week, and left ship from there to attend Electrician Mate “A” School in San Diego.

After successful completion of A School and designation as an Electrician’s Mate, he was assigned to the USS Lenawee (APA 195) which was homeported in San Diego, California. He served aboard this ship from December 1963 to November 1964.

During that time period, the crew operated offshore from Camp Pendleton Marine Base landing Marines on the beach. They then sailed to Todd Shipyards in Seattle for ship overhaul and repair.

Then it was back down to San Diego to on-load 1200 Marines and their equipment before heading for WestPac and Vietnam. After the first 30 days at sea, they docked in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines.

His next assignment took him aboard the USS Eldorado (AGC 11); home ported in San Diego. He served on this ship from December 1964 to the end of his enlistment in Sept 1966.

The El Dorado underwent an overhaul at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard before sailing on to Seattle for Fleet Week.

In October 1965 the ship left for an eight month deployment to WestPac and Vietnam. During four of those months they operated off of the coast of Vietnam conducting amphibious operations.

During this cruise, The Eldorado crew visited Hawaii, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Okinawa and Yokosuka, Japan.

Bill Hummel completed his four years in the US Navy as a Second Class Electrician’s Mate. His military decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, the Navy “E” Ribbon, and Vietnam Service medal with one Bronze Star.

After his Navy service he worked for Western Union Telegraph Company for ten years. For two years, he worked in Washington, DC; two blocks from the White House at T&R Tech.

After being promoted to supervisor, he was assigned to work on government contracts for the Military overseas. He served two tours in Kwajalein Marshall islands, San Miguel, Republic of the Philippines and in Honolulu, Hawaii.

While in Hawaii his brother Hal called to see if he wanted to go into partnership owning a tire shop. In 1976 they bought a retail tire shop and named it Hummel Tire & Wheel.

He married “a wonderful woman from Nebraska” in 1983, and they owned and operated the shop for 30 years until his retirement. The business is still owned and operated by family members.

Bill joined VFW Post 2207 in 1995, and through the years held various offices; Commander 2012-2013 and Quarter Master 2014 to 2022.

In 2023 the Daughters of the American Revolution awarded him with the Distinguished Citizen Medal for his service to fellow veterans and the community.

Whether it was placing flags on veterans graves, setting up for the monthly veterans community dinner, making sure poppies were distributed, or raising the flag in front of the veterans building, Bill quietly served wherever he was needed.

Many of us recognize him as the hardest working veteran that we have ever known.

May you rest in peace Bill – you will be greatly missed.