Willis Eugene Hammers was born to Frank and Stella Hammers in a cabin overlooking White River in what became Kimberling City, Missouri on October 17th, 1932. He attended Blue Eye School and played on the State Championship Basketball Team in his high school years. Gene was then off into the Airforce where he served several years in occupied Japan. Upon returning to the United States Gene married Billie Avery and worked in the West and Midwest. In 1960 he welcomed a son, Michael Hammers, and settled back into the area of his youth while working at a local amusement park called Silver Dollar City. He was one of the first 50 employees and helped build the beginning structures and amusement rides. Later in his life, Gene lost his wife Billie to cancer and moved to south Texas. After a couple of years, he moved to Mexico and met Maria Elena Lopez and was able to start a family with her. Their son, William was born in 1988 and was a great joy in their life. Gene, Maria Elena, and William moved to Laredo, TX and there he remained until his death in 2016. Gene will be remembered by his sons for his ability to travel to new places, make friends, adapt to cultures, and embrace diversity of other people. Thank you for passing those thoughts and love to your children. We will always remember what you taught us. He is survived by his wife, Maria Elena Hammers, sons; William Hammers and Michael (Lynda) Hammers, grandchildren; Karley Reeves and Tate Hammers, great grandchildren; Audrey Reeves and Laurel Reeves. Visitation will be Friday, August 19, 2016, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Nieto Funeral Home & Crematory where a prayer service will officiate at 7:45 pm. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016, at the Nieto Funeral Home & Crematory chapel. Chapel service will be held at 9:00 am. Interment will immediately follow to the Laredo City Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Laredo Veterans Honor Guard. Funeral service arrangements are under the care of Nieto Funeral Home & Crematory, 802 Coke St. Laredo, TX 78040. Condolences can be expressed to the family online at www.nietofuneral.com.