He was born April 19, 1940, at Ponca City, Oklahoma, the son of Harold Clifton and Myrta Ellen Ogan Hemphill.

Earl married Eileen Boatright, September 2, 1962, at Russell. She survives.

He lived his early life at Peru and Great Bend, graduated from Great Bend High School, served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962. He lived in Abilene, Texas, for a short period of time before moving to Russell in 1963. He worked as an electrician for a number of years, joined the Russell Volunteer Fire Department in 1967 and became full time fire chief in Sept. 1982.

Earl was a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of Bible Baptist Church, Russell. He was a member of Kansas State Fire Fighters Association, Kansas State Fire Chiefs Association, and International Fire Chiefs Association.

He was preceded in death by: his parents.
Survivors include: his wife of the home; two sons, Lawrence Hemphill, Salina, and James M. Hemphill, Russell; one daughter, Audra Lynn Braggeman, Atchison; one sister, Andrea Martin, Abilene, Texas; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 15, at Russell High School's Amos Morris Gymnasium, Russell, with Pastor Dale Lane officiating. Burial followed at Russell City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Bible Baptist Church, Russell, or Russell Fireman's Relief Association, in care of Pohlman's Mortuary, Russell.