Etheridge, William Hampden (Hamp)

In Memory of William Hampden "Hamp" Etheridge

William Hampden "Hamp" Etheridge was born July 11, 1929 in Kenly, North Carolina. Mr. Etheridge, whose father Paul was Kenly's mayor in the 1920s and 30s, is a graduate of old Kenly High School. He attended Kings Business College in Raleigh, Barton College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He married Irma Smith December 19, 1953. The Etheridges have raised three sons, Kenneth Paul, Donald Charles and Mark Edwin and have five grandchildren. Mr. Etheridge was a member of the Kenly United Methodist Church where he served as Chairman of both the Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees.

His civic activities included being a member of the Kenly Kiwanis Club where he served as President, and as the Master of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Etheridge also served as the Chairman of The Heritage Bank Board of Directors.

In 1985, he received the North Carolina Jefferson Award for 'founding the Friendly Kenly Council and thereby rekindling the spirit of a town on the verge of collapse." The Tobacco Museum of North Carolina had been suggested as a project for both Smithfield and Wilson, but had failed in both towns. Mr. Etheridge said... "So we decided to take it as our own project. You can see now that it was a huge success in Kenly. "

Mr. Etheridge was owner of Etheridge Oil Company, the E-Z Shop convenience store, and Ace Transport, all located in Kenly.

The Children's Heritage Exhibit and this honor page, sponsored by The Heritage Bank, are dedicated to Mr. Etheridge to honor him for his years of service and dedication to the Bank and the community.