Warren Clayton Hemphill

Posted

Warren Clayton Hemphill of Sonora, Texas, passed on to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sept. 1, 2022, at the age of 88. A private family graveside will be held Monday, Sept. 12, at 11 a.m. and a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Sonora.

Warren, the youngest son of John and Ethel Clayton Hemphill, was born in San Angelo, Texas, on Oct. 10, 1933.

He is survived by daughter Karen and husband David Rooker of Dallas, Texas, and son Mark Hemphill and wife Sheila of Sonora, Texas, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

After losing his father at the age of 5, he and his mother and grandmother moved to Ozona, Texas. Warren attended high school at Kentucky Military Institute in Louisville, Ky. After graduation, he went on to the University of Texas where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. It was at UT that Warren courted and married Elizabeth “Liz” Coleman on July 17, 1954, in Austin, Texas. They loved their summers in Creede, Colo., with their XIC family.

Their married life together can best be described as an adventure of love. Their early marriage took them to Ulm Germany where Warren served in the US Army for two years while Liz traveled by ship to join him with their new baby girl, Karen.

Their many adventures during their stay in Europe brought forth a love for travel. From Germany, they returned to Hat-A Ranch south of Bakersfield, Texas, for one year of remote, no electricity living on the Harral Ranch.

In 1959, their son Mark was born, and they moved to Menard, Texas, where Warren ranched and began his banking career.

In 1965, they moved to Sonora, where Warren worked for First National Bank of Sonora, while completing his education at Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU.

Warren was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Sonora where he enjoyed singing in the choir.

Warren and Liz were blessed to spend much of their summers in Creede, Colo., where they attended the Creede Community Church and were frequent attendees and supporters of the Creede Repertory Theatre. He greatly enjoyed fishing, quail hunting, Dutch oven cooking, singing, dancing and visiting with all those he loved so well. He was blessed with many travels and adventures with family, dear friends, and buddies.

Warren was a man who was well loved and knew how to love well! The family is so grateful for the loving care he received from so many. In lieu of flowers, please give memorials to your local food bank or charity of your choice.

He will be greatly missed, but the memories he left us will live on until we are all united in Glory with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Online condolences may be made at lovefuneralhome.net.