Vivian Hemphill

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Vivian Rose (Lackman) Hemphill, 88, passed away on Aug. 6, 2015, in Scottsdale. She was the eldest daughter of David and Magdalena (Muller) Lackman who resided west of Billings. Vivian was born on June 4, 1927, in Billings. She was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Laurel and graduated from Billings Senior High School. On Sept. 16, 1948, she was married to Walter R. Hemphill in Denver. They had a loving marriage of over 54 years that produced one son, Kenneth Wayne Hemphill. Walt passed away in Billings on Feb. 21, 2003. Vivian had two sisters, Betty of Plymouth, Minn., and Donna, of Columbus. She also had three brothers, David (deceased) of Forsyth, Donald (deceased) of Billings, and Robert, of Broomfield, Colo. Kenneth and his wife Nona reside in Scottsdale. Vivian had three grandchildren, Bradley (wife Shelley) Kent (wife Victoria), and Kevin (wife Natalie), and two step-grandchildren, Robbie (wife Carla), and Carol. She also had 13 great-grandchildren. Vivian loved to dance and the tradition of the German families at that time (1948) was to have a big German wedding dance. However, Walt did not know how to dance, and so, he convinced Vivian to elope with him to Denver to be married. She was a very devoted and loving wife to Walt and helped him build his Hemphill Trucking Company. She was a wonderful cook, just like her mother, Maggie. The other trait she shared with her mother was to be overly generous to all. Although she had been bed-ridden for the past couple of years, it did not affect her positive happy outlook. Vivian will be sorely missed by her loving friends and family.