On March 29th, 2023 Bruce Allen Hamersley passed away following a battle with lung cancer and was reunited with his mother, Shirley (Deal) Hamersley, brother Brad Hamersley and brother-in-law David (Scurvy) Reeves. Oh what a party that will be.
On September 6, 1957 a red-headed bouncing baby boy was born to William “Bill” and Shirley Hamersley in Highland Center. Little did they know what a handful he would be. Bruce graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1975 where he wrestled and played Legion baseball.
Bruce spent a few years with the Ottumwa Police Department in the mid-80s but spent most of his career in water treatment where he worked at the Ottumwa Water Works for 30 years and ultimately finished his career as Water Superintendent at the Chariton Water Works until his retirement in 2014. He and his wife even found time to own and operate Van Buren Bowl in Keosauqua from 1999 to 2009.
Bruce was an avid sports player and was a natural athlete at anything he tried. He especially enjoyed playing slow and fast pitch softball, golfing and bowling. If he wasn’t playing a sport he could likely be found fishing at Leech Lake in Walker,MN where he visited nearly every year of his life or spending time with family, hunting, camping, playing cards or shooting pool. He even took up stock car racing for a while but spent more time on the hood of his car than his wheels.
Bruce did not know a stranger and was known for his witty personality and contagious laugh and jokes. He found time to coach his daughter’s softball team for several years and was on the Ottumwa Men’s Bowling Association and coached both Ottumwa and Keosauqua youth bowling programs.
He leaves behind his father; wife Deborah (Cranston) of 33 years; daughter Bethany (Robert) Evitts of Urbandale and grandsons Tanner and Austen; his son Royce Robertson of Chariton and grandchildren Logan, Lillian and Lane Robertson; sister Billie Rae Reeves and brother Robert (Kathy) Hamersley both of Bloomfield; in-laws James and Patricia Reynolds of Sigourney; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Family will be gathered at the Keokuk County Extension Expo building located at 400 220th Ave in Sigourney, IA on Saturday April 8th from 11:30-1:00. Burial service will follow at Pennington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, because Bruce hated buying flowers, please consider a donation to the American Lung Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.