Philip Shelby Holder

Philip Shelby Holder of Sherwood, Arkansas, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, peacefully departed this life to be with his Heavenly Father on the morning of Saturday, August 15, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving family in the comfort of his own home.

Phil was born on July 16, 1950, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Freda Elizabeth Hicks Holder and Carter Douglas Holder, Sr. He was their only child and was raised with the values that would define the man he became—faith, family, hard work, loyalty, and a deep commitment to those he loved. Phil was preceded in death by his parents; his half-sister, Ethelena Holder St. John; his half-brother, Carter Douglas Holder, Jr.; and his son, Adam Bradford Holder. He is survived by his two children, Nicholas Philip Holder and wife, Amber, of Maumelle, and Erika Elizabeth Holder Petit and husband, Robert, of North Little Rock; their mother, Pamela J. Moore, his grandchildren, Jase and Ashlyn Holder, and Sullivan, Alexander, and Cooper Petit; his nieces, Connie St. John-Hatfield and Rhonda St. John, and his significant other, Sonja McGaughey of Star City; as well as many cousins and extended family.

Phil graduated from North Little Rock High School as an honor graduate in 1968. He attended Arkansas Tech University before graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1973. Phil was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock. In 2020, he began attending New Life Church–Greater Little Rock, where he quickly found a new church home and a community of people who became very special to him. His faith has always been an important part of his daily life, and he was a faithfully devoted follower of Christ. At New Life Church, Phil became actively involved in the Men’s Ministry, Usher Serve Team, and Porch Life Small Group. Through these ministries, he developed many meaningful friendships and found fellowship, purpose, and joy in serving others. His faith was not simply something he professed—it was something he sought to live out through the way he loved his family, served others, and walked with Christ.

Phil’s favorite role in life was that of a parent and grandparent. He was an absolute, devoted father—present, engaged, and deeply invested in the lives of his children. To understand just how proud Phil was of being a father, all you had to do was talk to him for five minutes. It didn’t take long before he was telling you about his children, sharing a story, or proudly talking about something they had accomplished. That same love and pride continued into his role as a grandfather. Phil treasured every moment spent with his grandchildren and took great pride in being their “Papa.” He never failed to show up for the events, activities, and milestones that were important to them. Whether sitting in the stands, cheering them on, attending their activities, or simply spending time together, Phil made sure his grandchildren knew they were loved, supported, and important to him. Family was one of the greatest blessings of his life, and the memories he created with those he loved will be cherished for generations to come. Phil will be deeply missed, but his love, laughter, wisdom, and countless memories will never be forgotten.

Phil had a lifelong love of the outdoors and adventure. He enjoyed camping, hiking, and spending time on the lake with family and friends. He was an avid water skier from an early age and was known for teaching countless family members and friends how to water ski, always enjoying the freedom, fun, and fellowship that came with being on the water.

As the years went by, Phil’s love of adventure shifted from the water to the open road. He developed a passion for motorcycles and took great pride in his Corvette. He loved road trips and vacations with family and friends, always enjoying the journey, exploring new places, finding good food, and making memories along the way.

Phil was incredibly social and loved to talk. He could strike up a conversation with just about anyone and truly never met a stranger. Whether swapping stories with an old friend or talking to someone he had just met, Phil had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome.

Phil believed in living life fully and checking a few things off the bucket list, including skydiving—an experience that perfectly captured his adventurous spirit and willingness to try something new. Whether on the water, on the road, around a campfire, or simply visiting with friends and strangers alike, Phil found joy in the journey and loved bringing the people he loved along for the ride.

Behind his faith and family, Phil was known for his remarkable work ethic and undeniable loyalty. He believed in doing things the right way, giving his best, and remaining committed to the people and organizations he served. Phil’s career began at the age of 16 when he started working at Arkansas Bolt Company under his Uncle, Clarence Philip (CP) Holder. What began as a teenage job grew into a remarkable 60-year career in business, accounting, and finance. Through hard work, determination, and an unwavering commitment to those he worked alongside, Phil steadily progressed throughout his career, ultimately serving as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary-Treasurer for several of the Hastings family companies, including Arkansas Bolt Company, Inc.; C & M Distributors, Inc.; Hastings Realty, Inc.; Hastings Bay Marina, Inc.; Complete Care, Inc.; and One Financial Centre, Ltd. Partnership. Phil took great pride in his work and was respected for his knowledge, attention to detail, dependability, and ability to get things done. His career was more than simply a means of making a living—it was a reflection of his character, work ethic, and loyalty. For six decades, he built lasting relationships and left an impact on the many people and businesses fortunate enough to work with him.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, August 23rd, from 3pm to 5pm at Smith Family Funeral in North Little Rock. A memorial service celebrating Phil’s life will be held at 1pm on Monday, August 24th at New Life Church-Greater Little Rock in North Little Rock. They will also be hosting an After Party of celebration of Phil at Venue 10 (next to Maumelle CC) in Maumelle from 4pm to 6pm. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations and memorials be made in Phil’s honor to New Life Church–Greater Little Rock and/or Adam’s Clubhouse at www.adamsclubhouse.org