1931 - 2009
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BILL HAMPTON – 77 - Director - Educator -
WINTER HAVEN - Bill Hampton, long time resident of Winter Haven and the inspirational leader of Ridge Technical Center passed away in the early hours of February 13, 2009 of heart failure. Mr. Hampton was born on September 1, 1931 in Guntersville, Alabama, to the late Reverend Beed and Olena Hampton. He was the third son born to a hard-working, farm family of nine children. The first child to
graduate high school, he joined the Air Force at the age of
18. Within
a few weeks, he was in Japan and shortly after that, Korea. Mr. Hampton
served as a radio operator and earned several metals for his service in
The Forgotten War. He made lifelong friends in those years that could
only be realized through the bonds of serving in a war together.
Mr. Hampton headed to
college with not much more than a bedroll and change of clothes. He
graduated from Jacksonville State University, Alabama, in 1954. He went
on later to receive his Masters from Rollins College, and his
Educational Specialist degree from University of South Florida.
Bill married Judy
Greer at the home of his sister, Nell, by his brother-in-law, Reverend
Charles Dixon on May 25, 1957. In 2007, they celebrated their
fiftieth
wedding anniversary.
In 1958, Bill and
Judy moved to Winter Haven where he began teaching science and
biology
at Winter Haven High School.
In 1966, he joined
the vocational program and in
1969 went to Auburndale High School as an
assistant principal. He returned to the cooperative program at
Winter
Haven and in 1973 was made administrative assistant to the
superintendent of Polk County schools, Homer K. Addair.
In 1975 he was named
Director of a new vocational-technical center including all
aspects of
the project from design, building and then serving as its Director
until he retired 17 years later in 1992. This center is now called the
Ridge Career Center.
At his retirement, no one captured Mr. Hampton's spirit of character better than his close friend, the late Mr. Jim Miles, with the presentation of a wood-bound book stating "You demonstrate the characteristics of this beautiful American hardwood. The exceptional characteristics of the walnut and cherry have made them universally desirable for generations. The warmth and natural grain are visible; however the less apparent are its strength, hardness and stability which keep them from warping and cracking with age and pressure. You exemplify the characteristics of these hardwoods -- you are strong and durable with a beautiful, natural grain. Your strength and stability will not allow you to warp or crack under pressure. You know why you are here, you love and care for all these people around you, and you will always do what you believe to be right -- 'your espoused theory is consistent with your theory in use." In 1990, Mr. Hampton
was appointed board
member to the correctional education school
authority by then Governor Bob Graham. Later, Governor Lawton Chiles
appointed Mr. Hampton to the board of Florida prisons.
Additionally,
Mr. Hampton was a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools (SACS), a regional educational accrediting agency, and
participated in the assessment of hundreds of Colleges and Schools all
over the country.
> Bill is survived by his wife, Judy, his three daughters, Sherry Walden and husband, Monty, Carol Romero, Allison Guy and husband, Dean, six grandchildren, Tiffany Walden and husband, Adam, Kamryn Walden, Jonathon Romero, Lexie, Amanda and Andrea Guy, one great-granddaughter, Rylee Simmons; two brothers, Charlie Hampton and Howard Hampton and two sisters, Nell Dixon and Nan Buchanan, of Alabama. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. We would like to thank Dr. Richard Giusti and all of the staff at Bond Clinic, Gessler Clinic, Moffitt Cancer Center, Central Florida Cancer Institute and the VA Hospital for their help and support. And most sincerely, we would like to thank our friends and relatives for the overwhelming outpour of cards, prayers and support these past few years. Bill Hampton touched many
lives. He was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, loving father and
Poppy-- a steady voice and often the mass communicator to his entire
extended family. Reading the hundreds of cards he received, what comes
through most is the tremendous number of colleagues, teachers and
students that recognize Bill Hampton as a pivotal influence in the
decisions they made toward a better life. In a lifetime of service,
Bill Hampton was the model educator and leader.
A Memorial Service for Bill Hampton will be held Monday, February 16, 2009 at Parkland Baptist Church, 1800 8th Street. Reverend Jim McKinney and Reverend Charles Dixon will officiate. After the service, relatives and friends are welcome to join the family in the Church Fellowship Hall for a reception and to celebrate the life of Bill Hampton. Bill and Judy were founding members of Parkland Baptist Church. Bill served as Deacon, Superintendent of Sunday Schools and as a Sunday School teacher throughout most of his membership. A charitable donation to Parkland Baptist Church in his memory is appreciated. – (Ledger, Feb. 15, 2009) |
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