W.D. "Rip" Hewes was born in Lowell, Arizona. He graduated from high school in Wayne, Oklahoma and attended Arkansas Tech and the University of Alabama. Hewes played football at Alabama and was a roommate with the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant.

Hewes took his first job as a teacher and coach at Fort Deposit, Alabama in 1933.

In 1936 he accepted the head coaching position at Dothan High School. His second team, in 1937, finished the season with a perfect 9-0 record. Hewes continued to coach the Tigers the seven seasons before he was called to active duty during the 1942 football seasons. He served for three years in the U.S. Navy before returning to Dothan for the 1946 seasons.

Hewes retired from the public school system following the 1949 football season. He served as the city of Dothans Recreation Director from 1950-1966. He was a charter member and organizer of the Dixie Youth Baseball Program. Coach Hewes was recognized for his contributions to his community with the naming of a softball field and, in 1964, the new football stadium was named "Rip" Hewes Football Stadium.