Charles Sponer, age 80 of Camden, AR passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2012. He was born September 08, 1931 in Morrilton, AR to John J. and Rose Marie Bligischer Sponer. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church and the Kiwanis. He was a former winner of Camden Man of the Year Award. He was a board member and President of Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas and served on the board at Farmers Bank.

Charles started his career at the early age of 18. He worked for his brother-in-law at Otto Leinhart Distributors in Morrilton, AR; they were an Anheuser-Busch Distributor. Charles worked as a delivery man until going into the Army in 1951. He served in the Korean Conflict. After the conflict he settled in Pine Bluff, AR, where he started Southern Distributors handling Griesedieck Bros. Beer and Weidekehr Wines. After Griesedieck Bros. Beer sold out to Falstaff in 1957, Charles sold his business to Stagg Distributors.

Charles then went to work as Sales Manager for Howard Lockridge Distributors in Pine Bluff, another Anheuser-Busch distributor. He worked there until he was approached by William P. Cook, CPA, to purchase Camden Wholesale, Inc. Charles decided Camden would be the perfect place to settle and raise a family. Charles Sponer purchased Camden Wholesale, Inc. and became Equity Agreement Manager on April 1, 1969. Three months later, Anheuser-Busch had their longest strike in company history. Going the entire month of July with no products was not an easy task, but thanks to determination and strong will power Camden Wholesale, Inc. survived.

Through their efforts for the first time in the company's history, the Budweiser Clydesdales came to Camden for an entire week to participate in Camden's Christmas Parade.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Sponer; son, Chuck Sponer and wife, Kim; and three grandchildren, Charlie, Lilly and Chad Sponer all of Camden, AR.

A graveside service for Charles will be 11:00 AM Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Memorial Park Cemetery. Father Charles Thessing will officiate the service. Visitation will be Wednesday 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Endowment Fund, 106 N. St. Joseph's St., Morrilton, AR 72110 or St. Louis Catholic Church, 202 N. Adams Avenue, Camden, AR, 71701.