William Chester ( W.C.) "Steve" Hambrick, a Korean war army veteran, mustered out with his company on April 11, 2021 at the age of 90 and went to his heavenly home. W.C. was born in a houseboat on White River near Des Arc on January 20, 1931 to James Chester and Lillian Grace Luton Hambrick. He was saved at the age of 14 during a brush arbor revival service and had to wade mud to be baptized in Des Arc Bayou. W.C. attended Des Arc and Griffithville schools, leaving after the 8th grade to help his family on their farm. He married Gladys Tipton on March 11, 1950. They celebrated their 71st anniversary this year. He served on the front lines in Korea with the US Army during the Korean conflict and was discharged as a corporal.
Steve and Gladys were blessed with five children, son Steven(Sandy) Hambrick, four daughters, Rita Hambrick, Brenda Bryant, Belinda(Roger)Scott, all of Des Arc and Beverly(Richard) Luck of Evening Shade, Arkansas.
In the early years of their marriage, they worked in Little Rock and Conway. They moved back to Des Arc in 1960 and eventually opened their own NAPA auto parts store, Steve's Auto Parts, which they operated for over 25 years. Mr. Steve, as he was known, worked 6 days a week but was also on call nights and weekends to service area farmers and others who needed parts after hours. After retiring
he spent countless hours with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved hunting with his grandsons and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren valuable life lessons with a conservative, common sense point of view. Steve was also a master gardener who enjoyed growing a couple acres of produce, which he shared with family and friends. He enjoyed many years of gardening before arthritis forced him to quit. He spent sixteen years of retirement helping his daughter and her husband at their restaurant in Des Arc, Lindsay's Pizza and Grill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Wilburn Carl "Bo" Hambrick, three sisters, Emaline Dart, Lodean Schmall, and Lodean's twin sister, Clotene, who died days after birth, one son-in-law, BobbyBryant, one grandchild, Isaac Daniel Luck, and one great grandchild, Caris Amelia Horton.
He is survived by his wife, his children, one brother, James T. Hambrick, one sister, Elsie Dohm, eight grandchildren, David(Kelley)Horton, Phillip Hambrick, Will (Pepper)Hambrick, Benjamin(Courtney)Scott, Lindsay Scott, Arrica(Matt)Hess, Trinity(Meagan)Luck, Caleb Luck and an honorary granddaughter Alice Nsanwi. He is also survived by nineteen great grandchildren, Beckett and Bauer Horton, Genevieve, Analiese, and Rosalyn Hambrick, Laney and Rylee (Hambrick) Phillips, Gentry Phillips, Owen and Lane Hambrick, Zaylie and Emmett Scott, Isaac, Gavyn, Seanna, and Kadence Hess, Trinity Reese Luck, Trenton Luck, and Tytus Luck. He also has another great grandchild expected in October.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are Andy Madar, Jerry Fischer, Paul Holloway, Tony Smith, Russell McKay, Ed York, Doc and Melinda Skinner, and Gail King.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 13th, from 6-8 pm at Garth Funeral Home in Des Arc. Funeral service will be April 14th at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Des Arc where he was a member. Dr. Matt Hess and Dr. Melvin York will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Des Arc.