Harold Dean Hewitt

Harold Dean Hewitt, 94, a third generation lifelong resident of Springdale, Ark. passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Springdale. He was born March 15, 1923, to Carl and Mae Anderson Hewitt. Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Mary Virginia Jones Hewitt and one sister, Genevieve Hewitt Shouse. He is survived by one daughter, Merry Lee Phillips and her husband, Jim, three grandchildren, Paige Elise Phillips of Austin, Texas; Payne Hewitt Phillips and Pierce Hewitt Phillips of Fayetteville and several nieces and nephews. Harold graduated from Springdale High School in 1942, where he made many of his lifelong friends. He excelled in sports and played football and basketball and was president of his senior class. After graduation he attended the University of Arkansas on a football scholarship and lettered in 1943 for the Razorbacks. During World War II, Harold was drafted into the Air Force and married Mary Virginia Jones in 1944. He was stationed on several air bases in Oklahoma and Mississippi before being deployed to Iwo Jima. After the war ended, he and Mary moved back to Springdale where he joined his father in the retail liquor business on Emma Avenue. He expanded the business that was begun by his father immediately after the end of Prohibition. Harold successfully owned and operated several retail liquor stores in Springdale even though he never tasted alcohol himself. Harold was fairly unique in that he never tasted any soft drinks, tea or coffee. He also never tasted a single green vegetable and lived a long life eating meat, potatoes, gravy, tamales, chili and chocolate malts. In 1990, Harold semi-retired and enjoyed traveling and visiting their condo in Branson where they often entertained friends and enjoyed the shows there. His hobbies over his lifetime included raising hydroponic greenhouse tomatoes, mining for magnesium, trips out west in his motorhome, traveling with Mary, his friends and family. He enjoyed houseboating on Beaver Lake, daily exercising, visiting with store employees, attending Razorback football and basketball games, tournaments and bowl games. Harold was true dog lover and was especially fond of puppies. Harold was a former member of the Springdale Rotary Club, Elks Club, VFW, Springdale Country Club and on the board of directors of the First State Bank/Worthen Bank. He took pride in his induction into the Springdale High School Athletic Hall of Fame for football. Socially, he and Mary were members of their "Couple's Club" having 20 friends that met bi-monthly starting after WWII and lasting into the 1980s. He was a loyal friend to many of Springdale's early leaders and saw Springdale grow from a very small town to the size it is today. As a youth, Harold spent many hours playing and spending his free time on Emma Avenue at popular places like Penrods and the Hitchin' Post. Visitation will be Sunday, March 26, from 4–6 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale, Ark. Graveside services will be Monday, March 27, at 2 p.m. at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale with Judy Van Hoose officiating. Memorials can be made to Springdale Animal Shelter, 321 W. Randall Wobbe Lane, Springdale, Ark. 72764. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.