Charles William Caradine

Lt. Col. Charles W. Caradine (Retired) passed away Friday, October 16, 2026 peacefully at his home with his family at his side.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Faye Caradine; four children: Sonia Smith (Rick) of Canton, Georgia, Mike Caradine (Alisa) of Kennesaw, Georgia, Shelly Hampel (Tim) of Benton, Arkansas, and Brett Caradine (Kari) of Benton, Arkansas; eight grandchildren: Gavin Smith (Lilibeth), Brandon Smith (Brittany), Natalie Quinn (Nick), Steven Hampel, Loren Caradine, Bryant Caradine, Kinley Bohannon, and Emma Maddox (Avery); four great-grandchildren: Theodore Thomas Quinn, Cooper William Smith, Leah Kate Quinn, Hadley Paige Smith, and Baby Girl Smith arriving February, 2027; siblings: Oma Dell Hill and Joyce Martin, both of Benton; and many family members and friends who love Charles and will miss him always.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents: William James and Sarah Della (Smith) Caradine; infant son, Steven Bryant Caradine; and siblings: Evelyn Hooper, James Parker Caradine, Truman Caradine, Christine Caradine, Leah Caradine, and Mona Caradine.

Charles was a graduate of Harmony Grove High School and graduated from East Texas State in 1957. Following college, he became a pilot for the United States Air Force flying B-47, B-52, and C-130 aircrafts. He spent ten years active duty followed by ten years in the reserves, retiring in 1978. He and his family lived in several locations. Charles flew 707, 727, and DC-9/MD-80 aircrafts with TWA as a pilot from 1967 until 1992 when he retired as captain. Following leaving the military and going to work for TWA, he and his family lived in Overland Park, Kansas. They lived there for 13 years before building a home in Benton in 1981.

Charles enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, traveling, playing dominoes, farm work, gardening his large vegetable garden, and spending time with his family and friends.

Charles was a member of Northside Church of Christ and before his stroke was involved in helping with anything that needed to be done at the church. He assisted with helping the widows, helped with the initial build at Corin Read Christian Camp, participated in Mission trips to Romania, and volunteered in Hurricane Relief teams on the gulf coast.

In 2015, Charles suffered a significant stroke leaving him paralyzed on his right side and spent eleven years with caregivers from Elder Independence. He had some wonderful caregivers including Janet, Amanda, Christy, Jeanetta, and Linda. In May of 2024, Charles entered the care of Hospice Home Care, which introduced he and his wife to Kim Aden and other folks who were ready to help with whatever was needed. We feel thank you is not enough for the services they provided.

Services will be held Tuesday, October 20 at Northside Church of Christ in Benton, with visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM, followed by funeral service at 11:00 AM. Burial with military honors to follow at Mount Harmony Cemetery in Haskell with Steven Hampel, Bryant Caradine, Mike Caradine, Brett Caradine, Brandon Smith, and Gavin Smith assisting as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to the Corin Read Christian Camp, 27100 S. Sardis Road, Bauxite, Arkansas 72011 or to Children’s Homes Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Arkansas 72450.

Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.