William Kemp Jr.

1948 - 2016

William "Bill" Harvey Kemp Jr., 67, a resident of Deming, NM entered eternal rest on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Memorial Medical Hospital in Las Cruces, NM. Bill was born on August 23, 1948 in Calexico, CA to William H. Kemp and Estella Blaschkoe.
Bill grew up in the Imperial Valley with his five brothers, hunting and farming. He served in Vietnam from 1967-1969 in the Marines. He achieved a B.A. in Social Science but followed his Dad's footsteps and went to work at Valley Auto Supply Co. first in shipping, then purchasing and then general manager for 16 years. In 1977, he and Nancy were married and started a family. In 2000 he took a chance at being self-employed, buying a NAPA Auto Parts store in Silver City, NM: as a family business. In 2004, the family added another store in Deming and in 2010 added two more stores in Las Cruces. In 2014; the decision was made to retire from the two stores in Las Cruces and in 2015 retired from the Silver City and Deming stores. As Bill wanted some time to enjoy some time with his favorite part times of playing video poker in Las Vegas, walking with his dogs and prospecting in old places for scrap copper.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Nancy Rose Kemp of Deming, NM; two sons, Billy Kemp of Las Cruces, NM and Thomas E. Kemp and his wife Naomi of Las Cruces, NM; one daughter, Jennifer Kemp-Dominguez and her husband Jason of Las Cruces, NM; five brothers, Robert "Bobby" Kemp and his wife Connie of Hemet, CA; Johnny Kemp of Deming, NM; Jimmy Kemp and his wife Sher of Corvallis, OR; Charlie Kemp and his wife Janie of El Centro, CA and Michael Kemp and his wife Julie of Calexico, CA; four grandchildren, Jonathan, Saleen, Bellamae and Novalee Kemp. He is preceded in death by both of his parents.
A celebration of life Memorial will be on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 10am at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with Pastor, Cesar Chavez officiating. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels & Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-546-0070. To send your condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapels.com