Biography: Gillis Warren Stephenson, Jr., passed away on February 26, 2024. He was born on December 9, 1944 in Memphis, Tenn., where his father was stationed during the Second World War. After the war, the family returned to Monticello, where he experienced the magic of growing up in a small town. Warren credited the Boy Scouts for many of his lifelong friendships, especially with a circle of good-hearted rogues who alternately amused and exasperated the people of Drew County. Of all his accomplishments, few made him prouder than earning his Eagle Scout rank. He would support the organization later in life by serving as a booster, board member, and a term as President for the Scouts’ Quapaw Area Council.

Warren graduated from Monticello High School and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville before transferring to his beloved “Cow College,” then the Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College, now the University of Arkansas at Monticello. After college he moved to Little Rock, where he started work with Russell, Brown, & Company, an experience he credited with giving him the foundation for his future success in business.

In 1972, his coworker Bruce Thalheimer, then engaged to Barbara Sawrie, fixed Warren up on a blind date with Barbara’s younger sister. That was how he met Martha, the love of his life. Despite a disastrous first date, Warren prevailed upon her for another chance and they eventually began a long-term relationship. One Sunday night in 1976, Martha told him that after four years of dating it was time to pop the question or break up. Never one to let someone get the best of him, he suggested they marry on Saturday, six days later. She called his bluff and they married on July 24, 1976, at Mabelvale United Methodist Church, first moving into his home in the Heights before moving to Robinwood in 1980, where they lived together until his death.

Warren was an avid duck hunter and member of Rock Roe Hunting Club, which fueled his support for Ducks Unlimited. He was lucky enough to deepen friendships with travel to duck hunt in South America, fish Sabourin Lake in Canada, and golf any course where he and his friends could get a tee time. When he wasn’t traveling as a sportsman, he and Martha traveled internationally with family and friends.

He was honored to serve on the boards of St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Lyon College in Batesville, and Pleasant Valley Country Club, where he served as Treasurer. He believed in these causes and was happy solicit for them, usually beginning with a joke that no one would laugh at harder than him.

He follows his mother, Ethel May Howson Stephenson of Monticello, and father Gillis Warren Stephenson, Sr., also of Monticello, into the hereafter. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Martha (Little Rock) and their son, Boyd (Washington, DC). As an only child he was mystified and thrilled to be included in his wife’s sprawling family. He is loved by a host of surviving in-laws, Jerry Sawrie (Teresa) of Russellville, Dr. Michael Platt (Bettye) of Alexandria, Vir., Bruce Thalheimer (Barbara) of Little Rock; nieces and nephews Brent Sawrie (Barbara) of Reno, Nev., Scott Sawrie of Little Rock, Cindy Sawrie Walker (Lloyd) of Russellville, Eddie Sawrie of Tulsa, Okla., Jennifer Platt of Pittsboro, N. Car., Michael Platt, Jr., (Jennifer) of Alexandria, Vir., Andrew Thalheimer (Soon-Jeon Youn) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Eleanor Thalheimer (Joseph) of Portland, Ore.; as well as a host of friends who will miss his thoughtfulness, kindness, and sense of humor.

The family will host a visitation at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock on Sunday, March 3 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A service celebrating his life will take place on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in Second Hall. In lieu of flowers, which he got more than enough of at the helm of United Wholesale Florist, the family asks that you make memorial bequests to the Natural State Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 3220 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72202. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com