Ben Hampton

Benjamin (Ben) Eugene Hampton, 40, passed away on August 24, 2025, at his home in Adamsville, Texas.  Ben was born on May 21, 1985, in Lampasas, Texas, to Ronnie and Penne Hampton.

Ben grew up living in Adamsville on the family ranch, and ranching grew to be his love.  No one who met Ben could forget his infectious laughter.  In his early life, he grew up spending time playing with his cousins, which established lifelong bonds.  He enjoyed playing baseball and was a terrific left-handed pitcher.  Ben had an enthusiasm for life and figuring it all out on his own.  He and his brother Joseph started a bullet-making business to support their hobby and passion, Cowboy Action Shooting.  Ben achieved World Champion Gunfighter three times as "Badlands Ben" at End of Trail.  He had numerous other regional and state district awards and accolades.  During this time, Ben and Joseph started working with leather and making various holsters, wallets, and other items to sell at trade shows.  They traveled from California to Georgia competing together.

After completing school, Ben took that winning mentality, combined with his determination, and figured out how to make a living doing what he loved, talking and dealing with people.  He started selling fertilizer with his granddad, Bob McIlroy, and eventually took over his book of business.  In that job, we feel like he met EVERY local rancher and landowner.  He made a living in custom farming, raising organic beef, and working at the local auction barns to learn from the most seasoned cattlemen around.  He listened to all of the wisdom and advice from the previous generation and applied it, and figured it out.  Ben found his passion in ranching led to finding ways to improve the land for better cattle production and water conservation.

Everyone who met Ben knew that he was a great storyteller and could put a twist on it to keep everyone laughing and engaged.  Our family will fondly remember the hours spent around the round table at Granny's, telling our stories and tall tales.  We all take solace in the fact that Ben has been called home to be face-to-face with the Lord.

Ben loved teaching his nephews and niece the art of ranching from feeding cows, checking fences, and making hay.  It was important to Uncle Ben that after working, they had fun and spent hours fishing together.

Ben is survived by his mother, Penne Hampton; brother, Joseph (Katie) Hampton; nephews, Samuel and Silas Hampton; niece, Charlotte Hampton; grandmother, Carolyn McIlroy; uncles and aunts, Randy (Michelle) Hampton, Rusty (Buddy) Hampton, Nancy McIlroy Mauney, Robert (Pam) McIlroy, and numerous cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.  Ben was preceded in death by his father, Ronnie Hampton, and his grandparents, Robert McIlroy, Jr., and Bill and Barbara Hampton.

Visitation will be held at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel in Lampasas on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 5 pm to 7 pm.  Graveside services will be held at Hines Chapel Cemetery in Adamsville, TX, on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ben's name to Cherokee Home for Children, PO Box 295, Cherokee, TX, 76832.