Alvia "Sonny" Sebastian Hooker, Jr.

Alvia “Sonny” Sebastian Hooker, JR passed on Friday, January 13, 2023 at the age of 94. He died at home with his wife, Peggy, and daughter, Mary Ann, at his side.

Born in Conway, AR in 1928 to parents A.S. Hooker, Sr. and Marie (Plunkett) Hooker. Sonny grew up in Mabelvale, AR and graduated in the class of 1946 from Mabelvale High. Sonny met his wife, Peggy (Delling) Hooker as teenagers and they married in 1950 and had two children, Shirley Jo Hooker and Mary Ann (Hooker) Williams. Sonny was a devoted grandfather to Jeremy Williams and Melissa (Williams) Dixon.

Sonny loved his wife and family and you would always see Sonny and Peggy holding hands.  He always said Peggy was the love of his life.  He was admired and respected by the community for his role as husband, father, and grandfather as well as uncle, cousin, neighbor, boss, and friend.  Sonny welcomed anyone and everyone with respect and hospitality.

Sonny served in the US Army and was deployed to Okinawa and later to Ft. Sill, OK. During his service, Sonny was a surveyor. Following his service, Sonny’s career was with the Matthews Company, working with Mr. Matthews to develop the Lakewood neighborhood and parks as a civic engineer and surveyor. Sonny registered with the state and was the 13th person in the state to register as an official surveyor. Sonny knew every inch of shorelines and property boundaries and loved to watch the neighborhood grow. After leaving the Matthews Company, Sonny opened his own construction business. Sonny and Peggy moved to North Little Rock in 1954 where they raised their family in Park Hill. An active member of the community, Sonny was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Sonny loved family, horses, gardening, and woodworking. Sonny and Peggy led Girl Scout troops for many years. He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Jeanie  and Rose Marie (Hooker) Cravens and daughter Shirley Jo Hooker.

The family would like to thank Hospice Home Care for their wonderful and loving care for Sonny. We would also like to thank Sonny’s Doctors and medical care professionals for their care and support over many years.

Memorials may be made to: Arkansas Parks and Recreation: https://arparksfoundation.org

Visitation is 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 18, at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home.  Service and Interment is at 10:00 AM, Thursday, January 19, at Martin Cemetery, Little Rock.  Sonny's nephews have been named as Honorary Pallbearers.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR  72114.  501-758-1170