Walter Hicks Hemphill

Walter Hicks Hemphill, age 86, of Fletcher, NC died Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at Park Ridge Hospital in Fletcher, NC. He was born May 15, 1924, to the late Hicks and Nelle Early Hemphill. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Rena Wilson Hemphill and two brothers, Max and Carroll Hemphill. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Asheville.

Mr. Hemphill was a veteran of World War II serving in the Navy Seabees in the South Pacific. After returning from the Navy, he went to work for Marion Manufacturing in East Marion and was later transferred to Shaw Carpet in Dalton, GA, where he retired.

He was a former resident of Pleasant Gardens community and was a member of the Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church, was on the building committee for the present church, served as a Deacon and taught a Sunday School Class. He was also one of the founders of the PG Fire Department, and was a member of the Marion Lions Club.

Survivors include a son, Ronnie Hemphill and wife, Ellen of Fletcher; two grandchildren, Chris Ferguson and wife, Andrea and Brian Ferguson and wife, Amy of Asheville; two brothers, Dean Hemphill and wife, Bobbi of Acworth, GA and Ray Hemphill and wife, Penny of Glenwood; two sisters, Doris Woods and husband, Bill of Fletcher and Margie Swann and husband, Gayden of Old Fort; two sisters-in-law, Jean Hemphill of Marion and Jeanette Hemphill of Glenwood; and six great-grandchildren, Mary Kate, Maddy Grace, Riley Hicks, Nathan, Michael and Brandon Ferguson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 11, 2011 at Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church with Dr. Billy Nimmons and Dr. David Blackmon officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at McDowell Memorial Park.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Four Season Hospice – 571 S. Allen Rd. Flat Rock, NC 28731.

Kirksey Funeral Home in Marion, NC is serving the family. Words of comfort may be shared with the Hemphill family at www.kirkseyfhmarion.com