Stephen Hamby

Stephen Clayton Hamby entered into his eternal home on Friday, August 11, 2023 at his home in Ocilla, Georgia. Steve was born on October 3, 1955 to Boyce and Rebecca Hamby. He was raised as an ag teacher/FFA advisors son and even enjoyed a honeymoon with Gary and Shirley Tankersley who happen to have the good luck of getting married during show season. As he grew from that small boy, Steve became involved in agricultural pursuits of his own including showing cattle, presiding as an FFA officer and public speaker in many events. After graduating from Irwin County High School in 1973, he attended ABAC where he majored in history but minored in many things including tailgating and having a good time. In one of the luckiest moments of his life, he married Denise Denney Hamby on June 6, 1980. They went on to mostly enjoy 43 years of marriage. 

The couple welcomed two daughters over the course of the next several years. Steve was the epitome of a "girl dad" even showing many of his daughters friends how to do toe touches as they prepared to try out for cheerleading. Over the years of raising their daughters, Steve was found either yelling toward a softball field, cheering at a football game or chasing pigs with an occasional cow patty slip and slide for fun. While he had few hobbies outside of his family, he often enjoyed time on the golf course with his best friend, Chris Cook, his brother, Jerry, and many other friends over the years. 

Steve, also known as Porkchop, was an OG Georgia Bulldawg and carried on as such even through the "rebuilding years." There was never a bad day to be at Sanford Stadium or yelling "How 'Bout Them Dawgs?!?" in his opinion. As an Irwin Indian, he took pride in raising his daughters to know the Indian war cry. He took even more pride in seeing his daughters in national blue and cornflower yellow. 

Speaking of pride, the joys of his life were his grandchildren. If ever Jace, Myla, Liam, Boyce, Fain, Edie or Rebecca were spoken of,  a sparkle lit his eyes and a smile covered his face. He liked to quote Uncle Kracker when he talked about them singing, "You're better than the best

I'm lucky just to linger in your light, 

Cooler then the flip side of my pillow, that's right

Completely unaware

Nothing can compare to where you send me

Lets me know that it's okay, yeah, it's okay"

Without a doubt, Steve would want to be remembered as a man who loved his family unconditionally. A man who didn't always do what was right, but always knew the One who did. 

Steve retired from Delphi Automotives after 30 years. After retirement, he enjoyed being a substitute teacher for Irwin County Schools and fulfilled his passion for history by serving as the supervisor of elections for Irwin County. Steve was a member of Ocilla Methodist Church where he served through the years in various capacities including Sunday School Superintendent and United Methodist Men president. 

Steve is survived by his wife, Denise, daughters Hillary (Mike) and Hayden, Savana Harper, grandchildren Jace Heitzman, Myla Heitzman, Liam Heitzman, Boyce Nelms, Fain Heitzman, Edie Heitzman, and Rebecca Nelms. He is also survived by his brother Jerry (Lynn) Hamby as well as many cherished nieces and nephews who knew that Uncle Steve had a dog bone transplanted into his jaw after a bike accident he had as a child... Just ask them about it. He was preceded in death by his father, Boyce Hamby, his mother, Rebecca Hamby Stone, and his stepfather, Robert Stone, an infant sister, Beverly Hamby, and niece, Kelley Hamby. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Irwin FFA or Ocilla Methodist Church in memory of Steve. 

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