Emmett Leegene Hamilton

Emmett Leegene Hamilton age 87 passed away April 27, 2026, at his home in Payette, ID, surrounded by family.  A celebration of life will be held in the coming weeks. 

Emmett was born June 11, 1938, in Burley, Idaho, to Carleton and Viola (Govier) Hamilton.  The family later relocated to New Plymouth, ID, where they lived for many years.  In 2001, he moved to Hulett, WY, and then to Belle Fourche, SD, while helping care for his mother.  In 2012, he relocated to Payette, ID, where he has lived since.

After graduating from high school, Emmett served a short term in the United States Air Force.  In 1959, while working on the state highway system near New Meadows, ID, he met a lovely young waitress, Frances Brown, who quickly became the love of his life.  They married that October and shared 66+ loving years together.

Emmett’s career spanned several industries, including highway construction, carpentry, farming, trucking, and, ultimately, over 15 years servicing medical equipment for a local hospital and home health care company before his retirement in 2001.  In 2016, he helped form Highland Irrigation, Inc., a non-profit irrigation company servicing his local community and held positions of Vice President and President since its inception. 

Over the years, Emmett found pleasure in baseball, rodeo, hunting, fishing, and a daily shot (or two) of Black Velvet.  He enjoyed summer weekend fishing trips to Lake Owyhee, fall trips to his sister’s ranch in Wyoming where he guided hunters, family fishing trips to Alaska, and family vacations to National Parks and surrounding areas.  

Emmett spent his retirement turning scrap wood into art, crafting beautiful custom bowls, lamps, and intricately carved ducks. He also became an accomplished quilter gifting his stunning creations to family and friends and showcasing his talent at the Payette County Fair where he won first place and special award ribbons.

Known for his patience and gentle manner, Emmett walked the walk – teaching kindness, patience, and trust through his daily actions.  He was a family man with a deep respect for nature and always pushed to get on the road pre-dawn for fishing and road trips.   

Emmett is survived by his wife, Frances Hamilton; his daughter, Vicki Hamilton of Encinitas, CA and her three children Sara Rose, Liam (Reagan), and Daniel Carr; his son, Emmett Leegene Hamilton, Jr., of Payette, ID and his two children Lucas Hamilton Braniff (Katie) of Vale, OR, and their 2 sons Adam and Bradley, and daughter Brianne Gardner (Matt) of Fruitland, ID, and their two children Savannah and Dean; his niece Cori Busenitz (Earl) of Hulett, WY, and their four children Seely, Seth, Grant, and Elena; and his sweet rescue cat, Pudda (named after the Tweety Bird expression, “I twat I taw a Puddy tat”).

Emmett was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lowell Hamilton; and sister, Gail Wagensen.