BURLINGTON, NC – Mr. Richard Lee Hammel, 91, a resident of the Village of Brookwood in Burlington, died Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Heritage Place.

Born in Parsons, Kansas, Richard grew up in West Virginia, and was a long time resident of Murfreesboro, N.C., along with his surviving wife, Edna Christine Jones Hammel. Richard is the son of the late Lee Arthur Hammel and the late Lina Robbins Hammel.

Mr. Hammel was educated as an electrical engineer, and was a veteran of the US Army with over 28 years of service, serving in World War II with the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team and in Korea with the 101st Airborne Division, where he received the Silver and Bronze Star combat awards and the French Legion Medal of Honour. After retiring from active service, Mr. Hammel worked for Western Electric and Bell Labs before moving to Murfreesboro.

He was a member of the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church, a former volunteer with the Murfreesboro Rescue Squad, and a member of the Murfreesboro Historical Society where he was instrumental in the restoration of many of Murfreesboro’s historic homes and businesses. Along with his other accomplishments, he remained a long time member of the Freemasons.

Mr. Hammel was an avid traveler, woodworker and enjoyed spending his free time restoring historic homes and buildings. He and Edna were proprietors of a successful Bed and Breakfast establishment in Murfreesboro for over 20 years.

Mr. Hammel is survived by his wife, Edna; a son, Lee Arthur Hammel II and his wife, Jan; two daughters, Christine Anne Hammel Operario and her husband, Bernardito, and Catherine Louise Hammel Schroeder and her husband, Charles; five grandchildren, Giyan Hammel Operario, Moriah Hammel Operario Formica and her husband, Kris, Monica Christine Schroeder, Mark Francis Schroeder and Kristen Victoria Hammel Johnson and her husband, Bryan; two great-grandchildren, Alexander Lee Johnson and Leopold Dorian Johnson; and his sister-in-law, Mary Stephenson Hammel.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Hammel was preceded in death by his twin brothers, George and Harold Hammel.

A visitation was held Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Rich and Thompson Funeral Home, Burlington.

A memorial service will be held at Murfreesboro Methodist Church and burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to Murfreesboro United Methodist Church, PO Box 392, Murfreesboro, NC 27855.

Online condolences may be made at www.richandthompson.com.