PORTLAND – Creighton Meader Hemphill, 75, passed on March 11, at Maine Medical Center.

He was born Sept. 12, 1930, in Arlington Heights, Mass. He graduated from Winslow High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954. In 1957 he married Margaret (Mickie) McBride.

Over his lifetime he worked with livestock and was a livestock dealer. He worked for the Ward family, hauling cattle to the Boston market, for Meader’s Saddlery and worked for Smiley’s Dairy. Then he started on his own, dealing in horses and cattle. In 1967, he partnered with his cousin, Dr. Charles P. Meader and in 1972, became the sole owner of Meader’s, which then became Hemphill’s Inc.

He was a member of the Neguemkeag-Vassalboro Masonic Lodge 54, later becoming a member of the Anah Shrine Temple with particular interest in the horse patrol, North Vassalboro American Legion, Waterville Elks Lodge 905 and a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Appaloosa Horse Club and the American Paint Horse Association.

He enjoyed working, wheeling and dealing, horse racing, county fairs, “taking a ride in the country,” green pastures, casinos, quiet talks with his horse, Colty, and most of all, providing for his family.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margaret McBride Hemphill; mother, Pauline Meader Patterson; sister, Kay Hemphill Martin; children and families, Greta H. Joseph with Gabe, Tory, Sadie and Lacey, Brenda H. and Scott Wright with Marissa, Heidi-Jo, Christopher, Nicole and Nathen, Paula H. and Gus Smiley with Craig-O and Nikki and special son, Mike Vashon and wife, Sue; cousins, Nancy Meader Witkowski and Dr. Charles P. Meader; along with many other cherished friends and dedicated employees both past and present.

We’d like to express our deepest thanks for the loving care and attention given by Dr. Ervin, Dr. Rivas and by the medical staff at Maine General Medical Center (Waterville), Medical Center (Portland) and Inland Home Care.

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