William Leon Hampton

Funeral services for William Leon Hampton TAMU ‘49, 87, of Rockport will be held Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Elton Musick officiating, with the eulogy given by Mr. Hampton’s grandson, John Hancock. Graveside services with military honors will follow in the Gann Cemetery. Mr. Hampton was born October 26, 1928 at Camp Nancy in Angelina County, Texas to the late Thomas Leon “Tom” and Beulah Mae (Cates) Hampton. He passed away near his home in Rockport Sunday, June 19, 2016. Mr. Hampton grew up in the Baptist faith at his family home just outside Lufkin where he attended Central High School and later worked at Texas Foundries. He was extraordinary in nearly every way. Mr. Hampton obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station (Class of 1949). He was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets. While at Texas A&M, he met and married Vivian (Cloud) Hampton September 28, 1950. They were married for 65 years, and exemplify the ideal of both husband and wife, and father and mother. After graduation he served honorably in Korea as 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps. Upon his return, he began his career as project engineer with the Gulf Oil Corporation. He went on to work as a project manager at Southern Industrial Piping (SIP) and advanced his career becoming the Vice President and Manager of Engineering. SIP was purchased by the Parson Corporation in 1977 and became Parsons SIP. In the ten years prior to his retirement, Mr. Hampton served as President of Parsons SIP. He also served as a member of the board of directors for Parsons SIP, Reliability, Inc., and the Houston Engineering and Scientific Society. Mr. Hampton was a registered professional engineer in Texas, Colorado, and Louisiana, as well as a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Nation Rifle Association, and the Texas A&M Century Club and Association of Former Students. He retired in 1993 and moved to Rockport to enjoy hunting, fishing, and golf, returning to his family farm in Pollok, where he spent his early years, as often as possible. He felt very fortunate to have a devoted wife and family for so many years, and deeply felt that “Life has been good”. To his family he was known as “Brother”, “Daddy”, and “Pawpaw”. He was exceptional in every way, and positively impacted the lives of nearly everyone he met. He was the living embodiment of strength and dignity and honored his father, mother, wife, sister, and children beyond words. His sense of loyalty and sense of humor were both unmatched and singularly unique. The world is diminished in his passing, yet remains greatly enriched by his cumulative life works. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Rebecca Lynn Hampton. He is survived by his wife, Vivian (Cloud) Hampton; son, John T. Hampton TAMU ’84 of Houston and wife Cheryl Hampton; grandson, John W. Hancock TAMU ’03 of San Antonio and wife Shelley Hancock, MD TAMU ’04; sister, Mary Ann Kirkland and husband Burl Kirkland of Lufkin; step-grandchildren, Lacey Galindo and husband Rustin, Lindsey Hampton Griffith and husband Brandon, and Matt Hampton, all of Houston; and great-grandchildren, Brody Galindo and William Leon Hancock Future TAMU ’2037. Pallbearers will be James Naiser TAMU ’75, Paul Larson, Greg Martin, Brandon Griffith, Matt Hampton, and Ryan Petersen. Honorary pallbearers will be Roland Kirkland and Wayne Kirkland. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis Tennessee 38148-0142, or the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Blvd. Suite 320, Austin, Texas 75759. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.