Phillip Eugene Emperley

Phillip Eugene Emperley 76, passed over the rainbow on September 2, 2025, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS surrounded by loved ones. Phillip was born on September 28, 1948, in Pleasanton, KS to Vernon and Alice Boyd. Shortly thereafter, another son Roger was born. A divorce ensued and Alice married Doyle Emperley who adopted both Phillip and Roger. Alice adopted Doyle's son William (Bill) and they had 3 more children added to the family, Stan, Bev and Brian. Doyle's other two children Craig and Nancy lived in Milwaukee, but they joined in the family fun every summer.

In 1961 the Emperley family moved from Prescott, KS to Carbondale, KS. On the family dairy farm, Phillip had his own way of directing the next cows to be milked. He simply pointed at a certain cow and that cow moved forward. Phillip was a great resource for lots of laughter daily. One day he came home and told Dad he got second in a race at school. Dad asked him how many were racing…Phillip told him two. After Phillip finished school he worked as a janitor for many years, then went on to Southwest Publishing, Yellow Cab, and finally retired in the early 2000s.

Phillip married Donna Weaver in 1976 and 2 boys, Kent and Brad, come from that union. They divorced and Phillip had another son, Shawn Emperley. He then met the love of his life Shirley Runyan and they were married in 1996. That brought even more siblings Waunita A. Runyan, Andrew R. "Wolf" Runyan and wife Barb, Ginger K. Gazaway Morris (Runyan) and husband Kevin, Kasy Quinn (Allen A. Runyan) and wife Sheila, Gene Wheeler, Leslie A. Payne (Wheeler) and husband Don. Phillip and Shirley loved going to the casino, winning or losing it didn't matter, they were in it for the fun. They were happily married for 23 years until Shirley's passing in 2020.

Phillip was cheerful guy without a mean bone in his body. Phillip would give you his last dollar and be happy he could help. If anyone had a nickname in the family, Phillip was the one who gave it. He named Stan Dute, Bev (Sis) Swiss Cheese and Brian became Punky Poo. He loved cars and music, and not necessarily in that order. Phillip also loved fishing and bowling and was on many many bowling teams through the years.

Meeting him at Heaven's door with open arms was his wife Shirley, mother Alice Emperley who passed in 1991, father Doyle Emperley who passed in 2014, a brother Craig Emperley and a sister Nancy Estes. He leaves behind his sons, Kent, Brad (Kaydee) and Shawn, 4 brothers William (Constance) Emperley, Roger (Deffene), Stan (Sue) Emperley, Brian (Sheila) Emperley and a sister, Bev (Tim) Masters, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and cousins.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.