ESTEP, Phillip Joseph "Phil" - b. January 22, 1935 - d. September 13, 2009

[patyrn]

Phillip J. "Phil" Estep of Rogers, Arkansas entered into eternal rest on September 13, 2009 at the age of 74 years.  He was born in Howard, Kansas on January 22, 1935 to Howard and Hazel Hope (Hillis) Estep.  He graduated from North High School in Wichita, Kansas and received his degree at Wichita State University.

In his adult life he worked in the insurance business until 1983.  At that time, he and his wife, Hazel, bought and operated a Sears Catalog Merchant Store in Clay Center, Kansas for six years.  They moved to Rogers, Arkansas in 1989,  He worked for Wal-Mart Stores in General Liability as a claims analyst specialist and team leader for 15 years before retiring in 2005.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Rogers, Arkansas and enjoyed serving the Lord and fellowship with his brothers and sisters in Christ.  He sang in the senior Saints Alive choir and directed an adult Bible Fellowship department in the past.  Phil was devoted to his family and friends and was a friend to everyone he met.

In 1981, he married Hazel Hinkle Estep who survives him  He leaves behind six children:  Michael Estep and wife Kathy of Marlin, Texas, Linda Briscoe and husband Jim of Milan, Michigan, Cindy Clinefelter and husband Larry of Conway, Missouri,  Cheryl Estep of East Palestine, Ohio,  Kevin Hinkle and wife Lynn of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Sonia Deckard and husband Allen of Thayer, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three loving sisters, Juanita Miller and husband Melvin of Moline, Kansas, Velma Boone and husband Cecil of Derby, Kansas, and Phyllis Davidson of Garnett, Kansas; one half sister, Pamela Hobbs and husband Lyndel of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; four sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on September 16, 2009 at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers, Arkansas.  Interment was held in Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri.  Memorials may be made to the Leukemia Society, c/o Rollins Funeral Home, Rogers, Arkansas.  Condolences may be offered at www.rollinsfuneral.com.

(published in The Morning News, Fayetteville, Arkansas 09/15/2009)