Bennie Kelton Phillips

On July 5, 2013, Bennie Kelton Phillips, 81, of Malvern, passed away at home, surrounded by his family and their infinite love. Born October, 21, 1931 to the late Percy Madison and Floy Cunningham Phillips, he was a 1950 graduate of Poyen High School and lived in and around Malvern his entire life. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force. After Basic Training he was stationed in Onna, Okinawa, Japan where he served during the Korean Conflict. He received an Honorable Discharge in September 1953. After returning, he met Harriette Ruth Tooley. Upon gaining her and her Dad's trust, they were married July 2, 1955. When she passed away on May 9, 2005, they were looking forward to celebrating their 50th Anniversary. He worked at Malvern Brick and Tile until the company was put up for sale. He was then hired as the Assistant Administrator at Hot Spring County Memorial Hospital. During his tenure, he watched the hospital grow to the point where new facilities became necessary. After voters approved the construction of the new facilities, he made sure the construction of the new hospital stayed on budget and did not fall behind schedule while still seeing to the day to day operations of the old hospital. After watching the new hospital open, he was let go when the Quorum Court decided to hire a Management Team to run the new facility. Afterwards, he was hired by the US Postal Service where he worked as a Substitute Rural Carrier until he was able to get a full time route. He worked for the USPS until he retired in 1995. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his son, Kelton Phillips and his wife Annette; his daughter, LeeAnn Steckling and her husband Gary; three grandsons-Benjamin and Jeremy Steckling, and CHET Phillips; a brother, Richard Phillips and his wife Betty; one aunt, Imogene Stiles; several nieces, nephews, and many many cousins. A graveside service will be held on July 11, 2013 at 10 a.m. in Shadowlawn Cemetery with Chaplain Jim Freeman officiating. Pallbearers will be: Pete Eifert, Brian Eifert, Doyle Loy, Jeremy Steckling, Ben Steckling, and CHET Phillips. Full military honors will be conducted by the United States Air Force and the Hot Springs VFW. The family, and Bennie, wishes to extend a very special Thank You to Jon, Jim, Susan, and Helen from Arkansas Hospice. Your patience, guidance, councel, and honesty ensured that we had no unrealistic expectations and experienced no unexpected surprises during Dad's last adventure. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Arkansas Hospice or BSA Troop 53 in Benton. Arrangements entrusted to Atkinson Funeral Home, Malvern, Ark. Guests may register at www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net.