Funeral service for World War II veteran D.R. Hamby Jr. will be at 3 p.m. today in the chapel at Crestwood Memorial Funeral Home. The Revs. Billy Hunt and Frank Samuels will officiate. Burial will follow in Crestwood Cemetery. D.R. went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012, after a short battle with cancer. D.R. was a native of Clearwater, Fla., but lived most of his life in Gadsden. He was a retired brick mason, a member of the brick layers and Allied Crafts No. 11 for 66 years. He was a member of College Heights Baptist Church for 49 years. After College Heights moved from East Gadsden, he joined Paden Baptist Church and continued to serve his Lord there as a deacon and trustee. D.R. also volunteered in the Mission Center of College Heights Baptist Church and volunteered at Etowah Baptist Mission Center until a month ago when he became ill. He served in the United States Navy for eight years, four years active duty and four years in the Naval Reserve. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific. D.R. was a loving and kind husband, father and grandfather. In younger years, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and church softball. He was still enjoying gardening this summer. He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. D.R. Hamby Sr. (Ruth); parents-in-law, William Wesley and Nellie Casey; brothers, Gene Allen Hamby, James L. Hamby; and sister, Patricia Atwell. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Herylan Hamby; son, Wesley R. Hamby (Karen) of Tuscaloosa; daughter, Deana S. Rogers (Brandon), Rainbow City; four grandchildren, Dani Rogers and Mason Rogers of Rainbow City, Joshua Hamby and Rebekah McCrary, Tuscaloosa; brother, Robert L. Hamby (Susie), Reform, Ala.; also a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Etowah Baptist Mission, 221 N. 27th St., Gadsden, AL 35904. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Henry Born, volunteers at Etowah Baptist Mission Center, and seventh-floor South nurses and staff of Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Charles Burgess Sunday School class. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 1 p.m. until the hour of service.