Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Owner of I-5's 'Uncle Sam' billboard dies at 84
[Spokane] Spokesman-Review ^ | 12 Nov 04 | AP

Posted on 12/06/2004 2:23:56 PM PST by bushisdamanin04

Owner of I-5's 'Uncle Sam' billboard dies at 84

Man's right-wing messages enraged some drivers

Associated Press

November 12, 2004

CURTIS, Wash. – Alfred Hamilton, whose billboard emblazoned with conservative messages engaged drivers on Interstate 5 for decades, has died.

Hamilton, 84, suffered from Parkinson's disease and cancer. He died Tuesday at his home in this southwestern Washington town.

His two-sided "Uncle Sam" billboard dates back to 1971. Over the years, it has carried a litany of messages aimed at politicians Hamilton didn't like as well as homosexuals, Russia, abortion, communism, big government, the United Nations and gun control, to name a few.

"He was a fighter," Sherryl Zurek, one of his daughters, told the (Centralia) Chronicle. "He loved a fight. He loved to argue or discuss."

The family has not yet decided what to do with the billboard, she said.

Born March 31, 1920, Hamilton was raised in nearby Chehalis, attended a one-room school and later studied at what is now Washington State University. He left without graduating during World War II.

"If he graduated, he would have been drafted," Zurek said. "He quit early so he could get a deferment, and he farmed instead of going into the service."

Hamilton married Ruth Knoles in 1942, and the couple had five children. He raised sheep for a time and then switched to turkeys, developing a breed with veterinarian George Duby that was a hit with restaurants in the region.

But he was best known for his billboards.

In 1971, then-state Attorney General Slade Gorton sued Hamilton under the Scenic Vista Act. The case was resolved eight years later in Hamilton's favor.

In 1983, Hamilton and his wife set out on a round-the-world sailboat cruise that took nine years. Tom Bradshaw, pastor of Chehalis First Christian Church, met him after his return.

"He stood about 6-3 or 6-4, and weighed 200 pounds or so," Bradshaw said. "He gave you the feeling he was the kind of man you wouldn't want to mess with."

Hamilton's wife died in 2001. He is survived by his sister, Betty; his children; and 12 grandchildren.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: alfredhamilton; billboard; chehalis; conservative; curtis; hamilton; obituary; washington
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last
Hamilton’s billboard was hillarious. It sits right next to I-5 and I looked forward to it whenever I went down there. He slammed liberals without mercy … and he was incredibly funny and witty about it.
1 posted on 12/06/2004 2:23:56 PM PST by bushisdamanin04
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04; CyberCowboy777

I loved seeing that sign. Sad.


2 posted on 12/06/2004 2:25:42 PM PST by sionnsar († trad-anglican.faithweb.com † || Iran Azadi || All I want for Christmas is a legitimate governor.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04
"He loved a fight. He loved to argue or discuss."

Sounds like he would have made a good Freeper.

What kinds of things did his billboard say?

3 posted on 12/06/2004 2:26:59 PM PST by Yardstick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sionnsar

I heard on the radio today that his family was continuing the billborad.


4 posted on 12/06/2004 2:27:45 PM PST by bushisdamanin04
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Yardstick

I'll look for a link. I've seen it probably 50 times or more, but it is hard to recall exactly what it said at any particular time. But he did love to slam BJ.


5 posted on 12/06/2004 2:28:37 PM PST by bushisdamanin04
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Yardstick

Mostly great statements about the U.N. He would have made a good Freeper!


6 posted on 12/06/2004 2:29:23 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Yardstick

DYSLEXICS UNTIE!


7 posted on 12/06/2004 2:29:36 PM PST by desertsolitaire (M.O.O.N. that spells SCARY.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Yardstick

"How Many Recounts Does it Take to Determine Gregoire is a Loser?"

Was up over Thanksgiving. Got lots of readership that weekend.


8 posted on 12/06/2004 2:30:20 PM PST by Dead Dog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Libertina; Publius; Billthedrill; rockfish59; BADROTOFINGER; Clemenza

A sad day. Hope the family keeps it up. Or....perhaps Freepers of WA should take it over?


9 posted on 12/06/2004 2:30:47 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04

I hope they keep it up. Some of the things were down right insane rants, but I remember when I was I kid driving by and getting excited to see what it said.

On another note, if anybody knows where all the different quotes over the years can be found I'd love to know.


10 posted on 12/06/2004 2:31:31 PM PST by oldleft
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04

11 posted on 12/06/2004 2:33:30 PM PST by Time is now (We'll live to see it......Does anyone see it yet?....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: oldleft

It really is a landmark. I used to get a kick out of that....along with the highway sign for RUSH ROAD! Wonder if anyone ever sent Rush Limbaugh a photo of that.....


12 posted on 12/06/2004 2:33:43 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04

If they start up a fund to keep it going I'm sending them $50!


13 posted on 12/06/2004 2:35:39 PM PST by stm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04

The man lived a nice long, honorable life. His family and friends should be proud.


14 posted on 12/06/2004 2:37:00 PM PST by lormand (Dead People Vote DemocRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04
I've been reading this billboard for years. It used to be updated more often when it was on the other side of the highway. I figured Hamilton had already passed it on to someone else but I guess he was just slowing down. Not only the messages but the worried-looking Uncle Sam on the sign attracted attention. One of my favorite messages from the mid-1980's:

The Good..........CIA
The Bad............KGB
The Ugly...........IRS

15 posted on 12/06/2004 2:39:03 PM PST by wideminded
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Wow -- a lot of folks are familiar with his sign. Sounds like it's a real Washington State landmark.

Mr. Hamilton was a true trailblazer -- manually posting his comments since 1971.


16 posted on 12/06/2004 2:39:39 PM PST by Yardstick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04

BTTT


17 posted on 12/06/2004 2:41:09 PM PST by Fiddlstix (This Tagline for sale. (Presented by TagLines R US))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04

a sad day...


18 posted on 12/06/2004 2:46:53 PM PST by Andy from Beaverton (I only vote Republican to stop the Democrats)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bushisdamanin04
But he was a draft dodger during WWII.

Was he just a closet Liberal trying to atone for the past?
19 posted on 12/06/2004 2:49:43 PM PST by HighlyOpinionated (I had this inventive tagline, but the dogs ate it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fiddlstix

Love that sign! Seen it 50 sixty times over the last 30 years or so, I never say any reference to homosexuals, mostly get out of the UN, and other stuff. I think the author might have made that anti-homosexual up just to make him fit the wacko-prototype....


20 posted on 12/06/2004 2:50:32 PM PST by ronnieb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson