Joyce Piper-Hampton, age 88, passed away in her sleep on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Peaceful Pines in Huron. Her memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Welter Funeral Home with burial to follow at St. Martin Cemetery in Huron. Visitation, with her family present, will be one hour prior to the service at Welter Funeral Home.

Joyce Ann Burrill was born on April 15, 1938, in Huron, South Dakota, to parents Lee and Pauline (Neuharth) Burrill. She attended Huron schools and graduated from Huron High School in 1957. She later attended Lake Area VoTech in Watertown, South Dakota.

Joyce married her first husband and high school sweetheart, William Piper, in July of 1957. Together, they had one daughter, Gail. William’s service in the Navy allowed them to live in Hawaii shortly after they were married. Eventually, they settled back in Huron and lived on the Piper family farm north of Lake Byron.

After William’s passing in 1986, Joyce moved to California, where she met Roy Hampton. The two found close companionship with each other and were married in 1987. In 1989 Joyce and Roy moved to Spring Hill, Fl. After Roy’s passing in 1997, Joyce continued living in Florida until moving back to Huron in 2022, where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Joyce worked many years for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. Over the years, Joyce kept in contact with many of her friends and coworkers from the telephone company and deeply appreciated their friendship.

After Northwestern Bell downsized their operations, Joyce went back to school for cosmetology in her forties at Lake Area VoTech College. She was a proud of her cosmetology degree and license.

Joyce was known for always looking her best and ensuring that she was always well-presented. Shopping for new outfits and jewelry, perfectly applying her own makeup, and sewing were her favorite hobbies. Clothing was a special love of hers, especially shopping for new outfits. Whenever she went shopping, she would run her hand along the clothes just to feel the fabric.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Gail (Jeff) Kjelden; grandchildren, Billy (Rachael), Stacie, and Grace Kjelden; great-grandchildren Benjamin and Hannah Kjelden; stepsons Brett, Bill and Tim Hampton, as well as many other family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; and her nephew, Brad Davis.

Special thanks are afforded to Jason, Crystal, Pearl, and Luna Hampton for adopting Snickers, Joyce’s dog; as well as to Carol and Kenny Ranfone and family, Joyce’s “adopted Florida family,” for helping her and making her feel loved throughout their friendship.