Hilton Hemphill

Investments Executive and Christian Leader

Hilton Hemphill was born in Dayton, Texas in 1941 to Lee Hemphill and Lunelle Nix Hemphill who would shape and positively influence the direction of his life and his sister, Rosa Lee. Before Hilton reached the age of two, the family moved to Littlefield, Texas where Hilton was raised and where he graduated from Littlefield High School. While in high school, Hilton served as president of the student body and as a captain of the football team. As a member of the Littlefield Wildcats athletic program, he was named to All-District and second team All-South Plains in football in addition to playing three years on the varsity basketball squad.

Following the example set by his parents, Hilton enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University in 1959, the same year his father became the school’s first Vice-President for Development. While at HSU, Hilton was elected as president of the student body (garnering 81% of the vote). He served as a Corps Commander for the ROTC and received the Distinguished Military Citation. He was also awarded the Minter Medal in 1963 recognizing him as having the highest scholastic record of the year. Additionally, he helped to found the men’s fraternity, Tau Alpha Phi. Hilton was the 1963 recipient of the George S. Anderson Award for excellence in character, personal development and service to the university.

Graduating in 1963 with a B.A. degree in Economics, Hilton moved to New York and entered Columbia University where he earned an M.B.A. degree the following year. On January 1, 1965 he reported for duty with the US Army and was assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he served two years as a Finance Officer and earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Following his return to civilian life, Hilton began a career on Wall Street working as a securities analyst and later as Director of Research for the U.S. Trust Company of New York. In 1979, after twelve years in New York, Hilton was named Senior Vice-President of Bank of the Southwest in Houston and manager of the trust investment group. In 1983, he relocated to Dallas as President of MSecurities and in 1989 founded Hourglass Capital Management serving as President and Chief Investment Officer.

Hilton earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1973 and served on the membership committees for the New York and Houston Societies of Securities Analysts, as well as president of the Dallas Association of Investment Analysts.

In 1964, Hilton married fellow Hardin-Simmons University graduate Carolyn Armstrong, who was honored as University Queen for 1962-1963. Throughout their married life, Hilton and Carolyn have remained faithfully active in their local church and denomination. While living in New York, the Hemphill’s were charter members of the Westchester Baptist Church in Westchester County. In Houston and Dallas, the Hemphill’s faithfully served others in ministry and in teaching. Presently, they are members of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas where Hilton has served as chairman of the deacon body and where they have worked together as Sunday School Department Directors and teachers.

Hilton Hemphill has devotedly served two nine-year terms on the Board of Trustees for Hardin-Simmons University, chairing the governing body for three years. Additionally, he has given his time and expertise to a variety of boards and committees under the Baptist General Convention of Texas including the State Missions Committee, the Baptist Standard, and the Administrative Committee. Hilton has generously supported the Bill Glass prison ministry known as Behind The Walls and has spent time in person-to-person ministry in six prisons.

Hilton and Carolyn are the parents of four sons: Harlton, a banker; Hayden, a doctor; Clayton, an accountant; and Carter, an economist. Together they enjoy their nine grandchildren. Hilton also enjoys hunting, fishing and playing a round of golf.

As a devoted Christian gentleman, faithful servant of Texas Baptists and cherished friend of the University, Hilton Hemphill has consistently aided the cause of his alma mater. It is a high honor for Hardin-Simmons University to recognize one of her own and to formally induct Hilton Hemphill in the HSU Hall of Leaders.