Wylie Hemphill, trusted businessman
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Friends and family flew in from across the country last weekend to celebrate the 84th birthday of Wylie Miller Hemphill. But today, they'll remember his life as a lawyer, a businessman and a friend.
Mr. Hemphill died Saturday (Feb. 2). A birthday celebration had been planned for him and his sister, Mary Pinkham, that day.
Mr. Hemphill was born, raised and educated in Seattle. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
After obtaining a law degree, also from the UW, he joined the law firm of Preston Thorgrimson. But his career was interrupted by World War II, during which he was executive officer of a landing craft, crossing the English Channel on D-Day. He served in the European and Pacific theaters and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander.
After his service, he resumed his career in law, becoming the Hemphill in Riddell, Riddell Hemphill. But in 1949, after his father's death, he took up the reins at two family businesses: Hemphill Bros., a mining company, and Hemphill Oil.
Karen Perdreaux, his secretary, remembers how much he cared about his employees.
"If someone was having a problem, he'd ask every day how they were doing," she said. "He was the most amazing man I ever met."
Mr. Hemphill's concern for his employees went beyond words.
"He would always be out there supporting the work force," said friend Charlie Bush, who named his son after Mr. Hemphill.
It was this personal connection that helped make his business relationships so successful, said Bob Shackleton, a business partner and friend of 22 years.
"He treated people like he wanted to be treated. He taught trust, respect, friendship. Wylie is the guy I tried to pattern my life after."
Roger Jones, a friend from law school, said: "Of all the men I've known in my 82 years, he is a man I would describe as completely without guile. A totally honorable and honest man."
He was also a generous man. With his wife, Marjorie, and sister Mary, Mr. Hemphill made two major donations to the UW libraries.
Though he stepped down in 1983 as president of Hemphill Bros., which his son, Thomas, now runs, Mr. Hemphill's busy schedule barely slowed.
As chairman of the company, he was in and out of the office weekly. When he wasn't there, he could be found at one of the many clubs to which he belonged, including the Monday Club, Rotary, the 101 Club and the Last Man's Club.
He was also active in the Episcopal Church and a participant in the Cursillo movement, a Christian program of spiritual development.
Mr. Hemphill was preceded in death by his first wife, Alexa; son, Wylie Gibson; daughter, Alexa Patricia; and granddaughter, Rachel. In addition to his wife, sister and son, he is survived by a daughter, Gair Crutcher; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Hemphill; stepsons Christopher James and Jonathan Stuart; stepdaughter Eve Alyson Ishizuka; and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., Seattle. Contributions may be made to St. Mark's or to a favorite charity.