William Francis Hampson

William F. Hampson
March 27, 1951 - December 29, 2021

William Francis Hampson was most well known as Pastor Bill Hampson of MorningStar Community Church in Moreno Valley, California, where he raised his family and served his community for over 18 years from 1988-2006.

Young Bill was born in 1951 to John (Jack) Hampson and Lydia Ross in Baltimore, Maryland (raised in Dundalk). His siblings include John (Jack) deceased, Christine (Krissi) deceased, Marc Hampson, and Jane (Hampson) Sacco. Bill’s step siblings from his stepmother Elizabeth (Betty Hughes Hillyard) Hampson are Allen, Jean, and Kenneth (deceased).

He was raised in a tight-knit neighborhood, playing in an idyllic sandlot with friends who didn’t go home until the street lights came on, and with whom he kept life-long relationships.

Bill graduated from Anderson University with a Bachelor of Arts (’73) and a Master Of Divinity (’78). He was ordained by the Church Of God (Anderson, IN, ’81) and he went on to lead churches in Lansing, Michigan, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and Moreno Valley, California.

Bill Hampson raised John R Hampson (fiance Allison; daughters Ember and Ash), Marc R Hampson (wife Lacey; sons Connor and Nathan), and Jennica R (Hampson) Schwartzman (husband Ryan; children Freemont and Winslow) alongside his former wife of 31 years, Darleen Hampson (Parker).

Retiring from the church in 2007, Bill explored a new career as a boat salesman followed by a long tenure as an audiologist until retirement in early 2021. He had moved to Redlands, California where he found new love and bought a house together with Cheryl Matta. Bill and Cheryl led a quiet life, working and being visited by many grandchildren for over 15 years.

In 2021, Bill had packed up his life in California and was preparing to move back East after 34 years where he would have the opportunity to pursue and reconnect with his early relationships, family and friends, beginning a new and exciting chapter. Sadly, Bill passed away suddenly at his home in Redlands days before his move.

Bill Hampson believed in the intrinsic value of every human being, regardless of race, religion, or worldview. He was an introverted, intuitive, positive, optimistic, conscientious, and confident person.

Bill Hampson jogged every morning, was a dedicated student of the world and a man of predictable habit. He studied the work of Carl Sagan, Winston Churchill, and the events surrounding the Assassination of JFK. He was always listening to music, whether it be classical, smooth jazz, war-time crooners, praise and worship, or classic rock. He loved the California sunshine, Lipton iced tea (with Sweet’N Low), and long discussions over a meal. More than anything, he loved telling or hearing a good joke.

He spoke often of how proud he was of his 3 adult children and his 6 grandchildren who lovingly called him “Grandad.”

Pastor Bill served in ministry for over 30 years and blessed thousands of people in a deeply connective community church for the majority of his adult life. He personally baptized hundreds of believers in his tenure as Pastor Bill. He will be missed by many as he left decades sooner than anyone ever expected. His sudden passing in a cardiac event, although painful for family, is a merciful departure at the end of a wonderful life.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 12th at 11am PST with limited capacity due to COVID-19 concerns. Members of the public will be able to view a live-stream of the service from anywhere in the country. The family will post a link here before the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Starkey Hearing Foundation (starkeyhearingfoundation.org) or the Boys And Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore (bgcmetrobaltimore.org).

Family Contact:
Any additional questions can be directed to Jennica Schwartzman (Bill’s daughter) at HampsonFamilyMemorial@gmail.com