Brewer Lee Hefner

Brewer Lee Hefner of Searcy, Arkansas, died unexpectedly Friday, January 22, 2016. He was the loving husband of 63 years to Billy Jo (Josie) Morton Hefner, the adored father and father-in-law of Angela and David Less of Memphis and the proud grandfather ("Gabi") to Emma McGraw Less, a junior at Texas Christian University. He was a loyal member of First United Methodist Church in Searcy. Brewer was born June 30, 1926, in Antioch to Walter Lonnie and Vela Harrison Hefner, one of eight sons and two daughters. He was named for Doctor Brewer and his maternal grandmother, Fanny Lee Harrison. Surviving him are two brothers, Carthel Hefner of McCrory and Dale Hefner of Beebe, and his sister, Mattie Ruth Fisher and her husband Jim of Beebe. He also is survived by numerous relatives of the Hefner and Morton families. Drafted as an 18-year-old during his senior year at Beebe High School, Brewer honorably served in the U.S. Army/20th Air Force in The Philippines and Guam from November 29, 1944-November 2, 1946. He was one of five brothers in the European and Pacific Theaters during World War II. Upon returning home, Brewer enrolled at the University of Arkansas. Although he did not stay, that time began his loyal dedication to The University. He attended many memorable games including the infamous "goalpost" incident against Ole Miss in Crump Stadium in Memphis; the first Liberty Bowl against Tennessee; and the Game of the Century, Shootout I, against Texas that ended in such a heartbreaking defeat that Dewey Neely drove them straight home to Osceola after the game! Brewer's last trip to see the Hogs play was the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State with his brothers, Jerrell and Dale. He was a daily listener to "Drive Time Sports" and faithful viewer of the SEC Network. He firmly believed that you never leave a game before it is over and you always root for your conference. He liked to remind his daughter and his granddaughter that he missed two Arkansas vs. Ole Miss football games due to their births! (And he made sure that there was a Razorback stuffed animal in the delivery room when Emma was born!) Brewer attended Beebe Junior College (now ASU-Beebe) where he had three points as a basketball player. It was there that he met Billy Jo Morton of Des Arc who was living with her sister, Eva Welch, and her family. They married June 8, 1952, on a hot summer day with a fly on his nose during the vows. He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics at State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas), his master's degree at Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) and a special 30+ hours administrative certificate above his master's through the University of Tennessee. He also was awarded a math fellowship to North Texas State University (now University of North Texas). Brewer truly believed in the transformative power of education and spent his entire professional career as an educator, administrator and mentor in Mississippi County. He was high school principal in Keiser and was West Elementary principal in Osceola In 1963, he was named superintendent of Osceola Public Schools, retiring in 1986. After that, he served as an educational consultant to The Cromwell Firm, which designed the nationally recognized and award-winning Osceola High School. Among his peers, he served as president of the Osceola Kiwanis Club, the president of the Arkansas Athletic Association and the chair of the administrative board of First United Methodist Church in Osceola, among numerous roles in volunteer leadership. As a member of the North Central Association accreditation committees, he traveled to other school districts to ensure high standards of teaching. He lovingly cared for his wife, thinking of her first and foremost. During these last years, he would lean over and touch her cheek, telling her some news or making sure she was comfortable. He had the same caring concern for his father-in-law, W.T. Morton, who often lived with them in their early years of marriage. Brewer spoke often of his affection and respect for him. Brewer was proud of the accomplishments of others: his family, both Hefner and Morton; his friends and friends of his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter; and his former students, teachers and staff. Nothing thrilled him more! He had a tremendous pride for this beautiful state that he called home and had seen the strides and contributions that those in Arkansas had made. Brewer mourned the loss of civility in politics and believed in honest discourse that led to the benefit of all. He was a proud, life-long Democrat and counted many in leadership in this great state and country as friends. He was a quail hunter, even raising live quail to train his beloved dogs. He enjoyed the times he spent with his father and others walking the woods around "the home place" on a clear, crisp day. He was an English setter man, nothing prettier on point he would argue, and so much so that Emma's Christmas present when she was four years old was her own dear Lady. The last six months was the first time in 60 years that an English setter was not in Brewer's life. Brewer Hefner was a man of fairness, generosity, and respect for others, finding the common ground no matter the differences, whether of race, creed, political leanings or religion. He was a man of his word. He knew how to make only one dish, banana pancakes, and passed on that skill to Emma. Brewer over-tipped, no matter whether you were the server at his Wednesday morning breakfasts at The Country Kitchen or his CPA nephew doing his taxes! He loved eating ribs from the Cozy Corner in Memphis, brought to him by David, and enjoying some good basketball banter about the Arkansas Razorbacks and the U of M Tigers. He loved a pretty tie picked out by Angela and had to have his hair trimmed often or he thought he looked "shaggy." Brewer Hefner lived his life following the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule and this from John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church: "Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, (304 North Main Street, Searcy Ark. 72143); St. Mary's Episcopal School Community Fund (60 Perkins Extd., Memphis Tenn. 38117); University of Arkansas Libraries (365 McIlroy Avenue, Fayetteville Ark. 72701); or a charity of choice. A Celebration of Life was held 1 p.m. Monday, January 25, 2016, at First United Methodist Church, in Searcy. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, a certified Veterans Care provider. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.