William Henry Hemp

William Henry Hemp, age 90, passed away on Monday December 31st, 2018. William was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Norman and Mary (Wendler) Hemp and was the younger brother of Elizabeth Hemp (deceased), his beloved sister. He graduated from St. Joseph's Prep High School in Philadelphia after moving from St. Louis in 1936. He received a Bachelor's of Science at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1953 with a focus on writing. He then joined the Navy and completed a four-year tour on the USS Albany during the Korean War. He returned to meet the love of his life, Margaret Misset Collins, and they were married on September 10, 1960, in the Church of the Presentation, Overbrook, Pennsylvania, presided over by Bishop Charles Coristan. He is survived by his four sons: William Henry Jr, Brendan Collins, Christopher Norman, and Joseph Dominic. His son Peter is deceased. He has four grandchildren: Julia, Cassidy, Zachary, and Trinity, and over a dozen nieces and nephews. William and Margaret raised their sons in Manhattan, NY and Point Lookout, Long Island. William worked in advertising and public relations in Manhattan for over 38 years and was one of the original Madmen. He finished his career as a Creative Executive at the renowned PR firm Burson-Marstellar. After retiring, William and Margaret lived in Taos, NM and Point Lookout, finally moving to Bainbridge Island, Washington in 2009, where they made many friends and were active in the St. Cecilia's Catholic Church community. William (Bill) was an accomplished artist in pen and ink drawings and throughout his life drew thousands of illustrations of the places he lived and traveled to, including his 100,000-mile hitchhiking adventure around the world from 1958 to 1960. Bill was also a published author with four books of his illustrations and historic writings: "New York Enclaves," If Ever You Go to Dublin," "Taos Landmarks and Legends," and "Bainbridge A to Z." Services will be held at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church on Bainbridge Island, Washington on Saturday January 19th. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Cecilia's Catholic Church or the Bainbridge Island Senior Center.