2024 HONOREE Joey clampit

We all know Joey. Owner/operator of Clampit’s Meat Market and Barbeque, caterer par excellence, and all around good guy. But did you know that he is also a cancer survivor?

A native Arkansan, Joey was born in Monticello in 1970. Most of his family called Monticello home, and worked at the Burlington Rug Factory there.  Eventually, Joey, his mother and siblings made their way to Hot Springs, where Joey attended Hot Springs High School, graduating in 1988. Early on, Joey developed the work ethic for which he is known. Given the times and his family’s economic circumstances, Joey knew that he needed to work to establish any kind of independence. He spent many after school hours at Oak Lawn Racetrack where he cleaned out the paddocks.  This determination to make the most of himself through hard work has stayed with Joey to this day. 

After graduating high school, Joey returned to Monticello and got into the meat business. He began as a dishwasher at a Western Sizzlin, did some cooking, and eventually cutting meat. He’s been cutting meat ever since. He held other food-related jobs along the way, but always dreamed of opening his own business. That dream has now come true. 

Having lived in Hot Springs, Joey was familiar with Hot Springs Village, but never dreamed he could live here, own a home and start a business.  But about 10 years ago he bought a house here and then in 2017 opened his business. 

There was no other business like Clampit’s in or near Hot Springs Village. Some had trouble grasping his vision, or believing this kind of business could succeed here. But as Joey said, his goal was to open a “destination location”, where Village residents would bring their visitors, and where they could spread the word about the quality of his products. That is certainly true today. Joey likes to talk about the store’s opening day. While it was supposed to be a soft opening, unknown to him, local reporters and even the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette got word of it. So there were more customers than he anticipated, and things got pretty hectic right away! The business has thrived just like that ever since.

When Joey was about 32, he found a lump on his neck. He had always been a strong guy, so this came as a real surprise. He was living in Monticello and had recently changed jobs, and unfortunately he found himself without health insurance. He contacted a physician who he had known for many years. Needle biopsies were inconclusive, so he was sent to Pine Bluff for further tests. Without insurance he was quite limited as to the type of treatment he could have. Rather than at a hospital, these next biopsies were done in the doctor’s office. Tests were still inconclusive, but the mass was growing. There was no alternative for Joey but to be sent to UAMS. The team at UAMS quickly found that Joey had stage 2 non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The tumor was removed and a port installed. He speaks very highly of his oncologist, Dr. Anne Maddox, and credits her for saving his life. The next series of tests and treatments were quite grueling. But Joey still needed to work to support himself. During this period he worked for a residential substance abuse facility in Dermott, AR. He would drive to his treatments at UAMS during the day, then drive back to Dermott to work at the facility at night. Without insurance, the 6 weeks of chemotherapy and 28 radiation treatments plus all that proceeded, forced Joey into bankruptcy. He lost everything he owned. 

With nothing but his inner strength and his boundless faith, he moved back to Hot Springs and began meat cutting once again.  He slowly rebuilt his career to where it is today. Miraculously, Joey had only this one bout with cancer, and has been cancer free for over 20 years.

Joey is well known for giving back to HSV, and has been a supporter of the Cancer Walk, providing brats and all the fixings, for the past 6-7 years.  Joey doesn’t even need to be asked anymore, he just assumes he’s the guy. He is this way for many of the Village charities and service clubs. He says that “when you surround yourself with giving people, you can do nothing but give back as well.” Joey knows that it was the Lord’s vision for him that enabled him to fulfill his dreams, and he could have done none of this without Him. As everything he has is a blessing from the Lord, Joey can do nothing else but try to help others serve this great community. 

Joey’s philosophy is that while cancer impacts us as individuals and is pervasive all over the world, for us in the Village it is a community experience. When he was struggling with his own cancer, he felt very alone. Joey wants us to know that none of us journeying through cancer need to feel alone, as our community of friends and neighbors is always there for help and support. That is why he continues to give his all as part of our Cancer Walk.   

My story about William J. Nosek, Jr (Bill) begins when I first met him in February 1957.

Bill came to Omaha, NE from Chicago, IL as a Pharmacy School freshman at Creighton University. I was born and raised in Omaha and attended Duchesne College of the Sacred Heart. We met at a sock hop. Bill was a cheerleader for Creighton’s basketball team; we danced, and the rest is history. We married in 1959 and proceeded to have our four children. We moved from Omaha to San Antonio (military draft), then to Chicago where Bill owned and operated a pharmacy in Elmhurst, IL. Our next venture was to Sherman, TX and Bill became proprietor of the Sherman Community Hospital pharmacy. Eventually, we moved to Dallas, TX and Bill continued with a colorful work history that included Pharmacy Computer software, military reserves, Commercial investments, car sales, and ultimately, Development Director for his alma mater, Creighton.

Bill’s health issues began with a diagnosis of testicular cancer in 1989. The surgery removed one encased tumor, and he started radiation treatment. He insisted that he would drive himself, take the treatment, then put on a suit and go to work. And that’s what he did. He also started to develop other health issues, i.e., skin cancer on his face and shoulders, detached retinas, high blood pressure, and panic attacks.

In 1997, we moved to Hot Springs Village. Bill continued to work and travel for Creighton’s fundraising campaigns. He retired in 2003 and we traveled extensively until he started losing weight, and developed a heart infection that destroyed his aortic valve. Six weeks of daily infusions to clear infection was required before heart surgery could be done. I, the schoolteacher, became the nurse. The 2008 surgery was performed at Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX and Dr. Lawry recommended a porcine valve. Unfortunately, 2 and ½ years later, that valve became infected. The infusion regime returned and so did the valve replacement in Houston, TX, only this time it was a mechanical heart valve, and a lifelong battle with Coumadin. By 2020, Bill already had two pacemakers, and his back was scarred from repeat Mohs surgery.

What always amazes me is the fact that Bill suffered greatly, but never stopped. The next health crisis, stage five stomach cancer, was already working its way through his kidneys, stomach, and pancreas. On November 2, 2023, I took Bill to the CHI emergency clinic. He was hospitalized, treated for sepsis and kidney failure, and released after five days and sent home. That lasted about one week, and he was back in ER. This time they repeated the same treatment but sent him to Good Samaritan for care and rehab. Bill spent Thanksgiving and Christmas in rehab, then he came home...for seven days. On January 17, 2024 I called 911 to take him back to CHI. The Village was under a blanket of snow and ice. The fire department made it up our cul–de-sac and carried him down to Barcelona to an ambulance for the trip to CHI. The next few weeks were a repeat of the previous hospital experiences, except this time, Bill had an entourage of doctors, gastroenterologists, urologists, oncologists, and surgeons. A gastric bypass and kidney stents were recommended. Bill had lost over 30 pounds; he was so weak, on fluids only, and very quiet.

When the surgeon made the incision, he saw Bill’s entire abdominal cavity was cancerous. A follow up lab test confirmed that the abdominal mass was peritoneal cancer Our children and myself were in the room with Bill when he died five days later, on February 1st.

God works in mysterious ways. Bill obviously had undetected advanced cancer for some time; the oncologist believes it started with the pancreas.  Bill still volunteered in the community in a very active way; The Knights of Columbus, Community Foundation, and Cancer Walk were among his favorites. Bill really was the fabulous guy my mother always said he was. He was an only child, but leaves a legacy of 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

I could write a book about Bill, but I think that everyone who knew him recognized his ability to be inclusive, and kind to others. That says it all.

What is a Dad? As Tia Helberg knows so well, it is much more than genetics. John Prince became Tia’s father when she was four years old. Here is their story. 

John was born August 28, 1935 in Morrilton, Arkansas and grew up there. He was all about sports, and played many in his youth. This love of sports continued into his adult life as an avid golfer and sports fan. John spent four years in the army, and then attended college here in Arkansas where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. This led him to a long and very successful career with the IRS. 

John was a “legend” in the local IRS branch. He was very thorough and methodical during his audits (which were all done by hand and with a calculator--no computers for him!). He retired with 30 years of service in the late 90's, when computers became required. A little insight into his personality . . . when Tia would meet people whom he had audited, they only had good things to say about her Dad. Quite unusual, wouldn’t you say? 

After joining the IRS, John was assigned to the El Dorado, Arkansas office. He lived in an apartment complex where many young professionals just starting out in their careers lived. Tia and her mother lived next door. A 4 year old Tia used to visit neighbor John when he was outside grilling, so Tia met John before her mother did. However, after he met Peggy, they soon fell in love and were married. Tia likes to say that John chose her—that is why he is truly her Dad. 

John’s first cancer journey was around 2009. He wasn’t feeling well and was having trouble breathing so he decided he’d better see his doctor. The doctor sent him for a scan, and lung cancer was found. He underwent successful radiation treatments and went into remission. Unfortunately, when the treatments resulted in muscle loss, John was sent to rehab. This loss of throat muscles meant that he was fed through a tube for nine months. John demonstrated his strength and perseverance by making it through that difficult time, and for a while was quite fine. 

In 2014, John battled skin cancer. It was during a visit to that doctor that John met the HSV Cancer Walk’s Melanie Pederson. They became dear friends, and John became a dedicated supporter of the Walk. Tia accompanied him there every year. John liked to say he attended the Walk for the brats. While not physically able to do the walk, he would visit, socialize and support the event just like many of our participants. Eventually, John couldn’t attend the Cancer Walk, so Melanie would bring him his Cancer Walk brat! 

Because of Peggy's passing, Tia decided to move to Hot Springs Village to take care of her Dad. As we all eventually do, John began slowing down a bit, but he never gave up and remained self sufficient all his life. He and Tia would have dinner together at least once a week and went to Walmart weekly. He would push his cart up and down every aisle checking prices. He always completed his own shopping. Tia was John’s “chauffeur” and helped him print his tax returns, but he never needed additional assistance. 

In January of this year, Tia left on a planned vacation. The morning she was leaving, she took John to Walmart as usual. Afterword, she dropped him off at his home with his groceries. When he said he didn’t need more help she gave him a hug and kiss, then left for Little Rock to begin her vacation.

While Tia was away, John fell at home. He lay alone on the floor for two days until Melanie found him. He was still alive but very dehydrated and septic. He was taken to the hospital. Instead of being admitted, he was sent to the rehab facility where he caught pneumonia and a bacterial infection. He was taken back to the hospital.

About half way through the cruise, Tia got a call from her son telling her John had fallen. She immediately caught the first plane home to be with him.

Tia shares that God blessed her and her Dad with seven miracles during these last days of John’s life. The first miracle was that John didn’t pass away while she was gone as she would never have been able to forgive herself. The second miracle was that Melanie found him and he was still alive. Their third miracle was that they were able to spend the last four days of his life together -- all day and night. The fourth miracle occurred when he had a heart attack and coded as Tia sat there watching. The hospital staff resuscitated him and took him to ICU. It was a miracle that the last memory Tia had of her beloved father was not of him coding.

Several hours later Tia was told that there was nothing more the hospital staff could do for John. Miracle number 5 —Tia’s best friend arrived unexpectedly at the hospital 3 minutes later so Tia wasn’t alone when her Dad passed. Miracle number 6—when Tia told the hospital personnel it was time to let John go, after life support was turned off all of a sudden John’s eyes opened and focused on her. Three times he tried to tell her he loved her, and she told him the same. Miracle number 7—John told Melanie that when she found him that he had not been alone. There had been two angels with him the entire time.

John Prince passed away on February 1, 2024. Tia wants us to know what an incredible man he was. John was her true Dad, her best friend and her hero. He loved both Tia and her mother with all his heart. Tia has looked up to him all his life, and continues to look up to him in heaven to this day.

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