March 23, 1929 — April 24, 2026
Funeral service for Willie Lampp, age 97, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Gafford Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service. Mrs. Lampp passed away at Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation in Sulphur Springs on Friday, April 24, 2026.
A life well lived from someone who loved BIG. Her faith and family were the pillars of her life and she clung to them until the end—April 24, 2026 at 97 years, 1 month, 1 day. Willie B. (Richardson) Lampp was born March 23, 1929 in Curry County, New Mexico to Virgle D. Richardson and Elvie Ozell Campbell. She was the third of six children. Many happy memorable times were spent with the Richardson and Campbell family members on the high plains of the Texas Panhandle.
Willie went to work for General Telephone Company (GTE) as a telephone operator. It was while working at GTE that she met the absolute love of her life, Edwin Gene Lampp. They were married at her parents’ home in Ralls, TX on March 24, 1951. She waited patiently at home in Ralls while Gene served in the Korean War. They made many places “home” as Gene was transferred for promotions with GTE: Ralls, Tx; Panhandle, TX; Haskell, TX; San Angelo, TX; Brownfield, TX; Brownwood, TX; Hobbs, NM. After retirement, they moved to Sulphur Springs, TX in 1993. Willie lived in west Texas for 8 years with her daughter and family then moved back to Sulphur Springs in 2024. They always found a church home, church choir, and life-long friends in each place they lived.
Willie was a blessing to so many people and she radiated love. Family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought so much joy to Willie (Nana). She always welcomed them with her warm smile, open arms and lots of good food -including her famous sourdough bread.
Her Lord Jesus made her a survivor and she never lost her faith! She has survived a rattlesnake bite, breast cancer, lung disease, broken vertebrae, and bouts with COVID.
What a legacy she leaves. Willie and Gene were blessed with 2 children: Vicki Smithson (Teddy) of Tarzan, TX and Eddie Lampp (Tawlene) of Sulphur Springs, TX. 6 grandchildren: Amy Harbin (Robert) of Godley, TX; Kevin Smithson (Heather) of Lovington, NM; Wesley Smithson (Carey) of Lenorah, TX; Karla Harris (Jared) of Milwaukee, WI; Tanna Holland (Josh) of Sulphur Springs, TX; Morgan Taylor (Chet) of Spencerville, OK. 23 great-grandchildren: Dusty & Rylee Harbin; Ariyel, Moriah, Yochanan, Hannah, Eliezer Smithson; Maddison & Aubrey Smithson; Simcha, Yitchak, Yaakov, Nossan, Meir, Shifra, Yocheved, Devorah, & Liba Harris; Colter & Lane Holland; Carleigh, Joleigh, & Elsie Taylor.
Also surviving are her sister, Nancy Phillips of Brownfield, TX; 1 brother, Elton Richardson (Kaye) of Idalou, TX; Special “sisters” Eva Richardson of Lubbock, TX and Evelyn Cobb of Haskell, TX: and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She also considered her “family” the loving staff of Hopkins Court, Rock Creek, and Heart to Heart Hospice.
Willie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gene (2008); 2 sisters, Opal Anderson & Eula Faye Upham; and 1 brother, Cecil Richardson.
Pallbearers: Robert Harbin, Kevin Smithson, Wesley Smithson, Jared Harris, Josh Holland, and Chet Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers: Roy Lindsey, Mike Hayner, Doug Hageman, and great-grandsons.
As she has entered the Heavenly Gates, we thank our Heavenly Father for the opportunity to be loved by her as she pointed to the One who loves, endures, and supersedes time. May you ALL be comforted during this time and season.
