Vilate Ransom Hampton

Vilate Ransom Hampton, age 103, passed away peacefully on June 28,2025 in Smithfield, UT. She died of natural causes leaving behind a legacy of love, faith and service. Vilate was born on June 23, 1922 to Thomas Austin and Eleanor Bodily Ransom. Her twin brother, Vilarr, arrived 20 minutes before Vilate. A brother, Paul, joined the family on October 30, 1924.

Vilate grew up on the family farm in Preston where her Mother taught her many life skills such as cooking, canning, sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening and quilting. Vilate would go on to share her love and talents with everyone who knew her. Vilate graduated from Preston High School on May 24, 1940.

Vilate graduated from Albion Normal School, Albion, Idaho, and then received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University. She attended Denver University and received a Master’s Degree in Library Science. Vilate worked at the Utah State University Library. She was the documents librarian and in 1960 she was appointed to head the regional repository program for the State of Utah. In 1963 while working at the USU library she served as the first Vice-president of the AAUW – American Association of University Women.

Vilate married Boyd K. Hampton in the Logan Temple on June 29, 1964. They lived in Kansas City, MO. until 1974. Boyd’s work took him to Cape Canaveral, Florida for 6 months. While living in Flordia on weekends Boyd and Vilate toured Florida. When in the Keys they went on a glass bottom boat, and watched an underwater Alice in Wonderland performance. While living in Kansas City Vilate belonged to and served as the president of the Wives Auxiliary of the Western Chapter, Missouri Society of Professional Engineers. Vilate and Boyd returned to Franklin (Boyd’s home town) and built a home where they lived near their family and friends. They loved to travel, fish and camp. Their travels took them from Florida to White Horse, Canada.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Vilate served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Northern California Mission from October 14, 1953 to April 22, 1955. As a teenager she played the piano for the weekly Children’s Primary Meeting. She has served in the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary.

Vilate will always be remembered for her talent for playing the piano and organ, reading, crafts, cooking, gardening, bridge club and quilting. She served as the President of the Pink Ladies (FCMC Volunteer Auxiliary), played the piano at the Long Term Care Center, along with her friend Stell, who lead the music. She was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She was everyone’s favorite babysitter. She was a skilled quilter and she and her friends spent many hours in Vilate’s home quilting.

Vilate was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd K. Hampton, her parents, her twin brother Vilarr and his wife Olene and her brother Paul and his wife Rowene (Wink) . She is survived by her sister-in-law Peggy (Hampton) Smith of Preston, Idaho and 21 nieces and nephews.

Vilate touched the lives of many with her kindness, service and love. Her influence will live on in the heart of those who knew her. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff at Birchcreek in Smithfield, UT. who provided kind and attentive care to Vilate for the past five years.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 S. 800 E., Preston, Idaho.  A viewing will be held Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Webb Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Franklin Idaho Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

The services will be streamed live and may be watched Tuesday at 11 am (MST) by clicking on the following link:

https://youtube.com/live/1bj0oobjQVM?feature=share