"Ken was very kind when my family and I arrived in Conway. He was also very dedicated in his service to the church. He is dearly missed. May God bring comfort to all of us who grieve his passing."
In loving memory of
William Upham
October 8, 1930 - August 26, 2020
William Kennedy Upham, a long-time resident of Conway, Arkansas, passed away July 26, 2020 at the age of 89. Ken and his wife, Joy, moved to Austin, TX about a year ago to be closer to family.
William Kennedy Upham was born October 8, 1930 in St. Pete Beach, Florida to William Woodbridge Upham and Rebecca (Becky) Brown Upham. Ken married Joy Hickman Upham in 1953. In their early years he was an ordained Presbyterian pastor in Miami, Florida at the Church of the Master. Later he went on to get a PhD in Sociology from the University of Florida. In the mid 60s Ken and Joy moved to College Station, Texas where Ken taught Sociology at Texas A&M University. In the mid 70s they had the opportunity to move to Conway, Arkansas where he could teach full-time at the University of Central Arkansas. This was most fulfilling, as he was able to help undergraduate and graduate students better understand more about relationships at home and in the community. Ken remained involved with his church by filling in for vacationing pastors by delivering sermons and conducting weddings, hospital visits, and funerals. Ken also served the local community by helping to increase the amount of low-income housing in Conway and working to improve the life of the elderly and needy.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents William Woodbridge Upham and Rebecca Becky Brown Upham. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joy Hickman Upham, his sisters Natalie Roberts and Mary Ann Will, his sons Bruce D. Upham and Steve K. Upham, and grandchildren Joshua Upham, Aaron Upham, Micah Upham, Taylor Upham, and Krisynda Collins, as well as great grandchildren Bailey Whittaker, Blair Whittaker.
Funeral plans are currently undecided. In lieu of flowers, please direct a gift in memory of Ken Upham to Grace Presbyterian Church, 1010 Hogan Ln, Conway, Arkansas 72034.
Tributes
"One of the kindest and most humble men I\'ve ever known. May he rest in God\'s loving arms. Dyann Rankin"
"Ken and Joy were our next-door neighbors in Conway, Arkansas, for 44 years. They were wonderful neighbors. We hated to see them go when they moved to Austin, but understood. Now we hate to learn of Ken\'s passing, but realize he has achieved eternal repose. Our deepest sympathy to Joy, Bruce, Steve and the family. -- Jim and Peggy Schneider, Conway, Arkansas"