| April 23,
2002 |
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Good-bye, Bill...We'll Miss You |
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Officers
across Burke County said good-bye Monday afternoon to longtime Sheriff's Office
deputy Bill Hemphill, who died early Saturday morning.
Hemphill, age 79,
passed away at his home around 5:30 a.m. Saturday from complications following
open-heart surgery last month.
"Bill is really going to be missed by all
of us," said Sheriff John T. McDevitt. "He was loyal and caring, and had more
energy than a lot of folks who were half his age." |
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| Full military services, including a joint honor
guard from the Sheriff's Office and Morganton Department of Public Safety, were
held Monday afternoon at South Mountain Baptist Church, where Hemphill was a
member. Reverend Bob Devinney spoke of how many friends he personally now has
because of his association with Bill. |
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| "Bill introduced me to a lot of people here
today, whom I have met and grown to love," the pastor told the
standing-room-only congregation during his eulogy. |
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The interment at
the church cemetery began with a 21-gun salute by the Morganton Veterans
Ceremonial Team. As a deputy played "Taps" on the bugle, the honor guard
removed and folded an American flag from Bill's coffin, which McDevitt
presented to his widow, Janice.
Officers, some with tear-filled eyes,
wore darkened badges as a sign of mourning and saluted the deputy during the
playing of the song. |
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| Hemphill began his career with the Sheriff's
Office on January 1, 1975 under Sheriff Jerry Richards and remained with the agency until his
death. During his career, he served as a deputy sheriff and was frequently
assigned to the court system as a bailiff and liaison to the Grand Jury. He
also worked security detail for the Burke County Board of Commissioners
meetings. |
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| A well-known gun and knife enthusiast, Bill also
had a penchant for vehicles which were a bit unorthodox for his age. His
beloved bright yellow truck, which looked more like the ride of a teenager, was
well known by many as he traveled down the streets of Morganton. |
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| "We kidded him all the time about his age,"
McDevitt stated. We joked that he had been around the Sheriff's Office so long,
he probably worked traffic control for Frankie Silvers' hanging. He laughed
right along with us. He was a loving, true devoted friend who I already
miss." |
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| Prior to his law enforcement career, Hemphill
served in the U.S. Army under the command of General George Patton and received
a bronze star, along with other military accolades. |
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| Hemphill is survived by his wife, Janice and his
daughter, Kathy. |
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| Good-bye, Bill........we're going to miss you.
Godspeed. Until we meet again. |
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| ************************************************************** |
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| Other Recent Press Releases: |
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- April 17,
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Interdiction Unit Wins National Award
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