SGT Derry Hanton Augusta, GA. - Sgt. Derry Hanton, a 92-year-old World War II Buffalo Soldier, grilling aficionado, avid gardener, and generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center on Sunday, May 8, 2016. Survivors include his daughter, Yvonne Walker, his sister-in-law Addie Hanton (Robert Hanton) and daughter-in-law Wanda Walker (Freddie L. Walker, Sr.), grandchildren Baxter Faulk, Edward Henderson, Clarissa Walker, Arthur Henderson, Theseus Starks, Stephanie Walker, Freddie L. Walker, Jr. and a host of great grandchildren. Derry is preceded by his loving and devoted wife, Eloise Hanton. On February 29, 1924 Derry was born to his father Otis Hanton, Sr., his mother Meeley Hanton. Also deceased are his brothers "Nugg" Hanton, Robert Hanton, Otis "Monk" Hanton, Jr., and Donald Jackson, and his sons Louis Walker and Freddie L. Walker, Sr, granddaughter Kathy Z Bussey. In WWII, Derry was in the 92nd Infantry Division of the, then segregated, U.S. Army, a division that was comprised only of black enlisted men and white officers; the soldiers were named Buffalo Soldiers after the more than 200 African Americans who previously fought in the Civil War. Derry retired in 1971 and has been a resident in East Augusta on Sand Bar Ferry Road ever since. He was an active member of the Disabled American Veterans Pinkerton and Williams Chapter 18 for several years. Derry's close and dear friends include Jan "Coach" Puczkowski, Arthur Smith, Latoriya Brown, Delores Leverett, and Jacqueline Williams. Please join the family for the watch service from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 13th at the funeral home. The full military honors graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14th at Hillcrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests your participation in the annual WWII Buffalo Soldier essay contest established to honor Sgt. Hanton and his compatriots. gofundme.com/23qaayp8 Williams Funeral Home, 1765 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Funeral Service Saturday, May 14, 2016 11:00 AM Hillcrest Memorial Park 2700 Deans Bridge Road Augusta,GA 30906 Visitation Friday, May 13, 2016 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Williams Funeral Home, Inc. 1765 Martin Luther King Blvd. Augusta,Georgia 30901