WILLIAM ROBERT BENTON
May 19, 1912-Dec. 5, 2011
William "Robert" Benton, 99, Goldsboro, passed away Dec. 5 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
Born in Wayne County, he was a lifelong resident. Robert was the son of the late James Robert and Ida May Smith Benton, and the husband of Ellen Newell Benton. Robert and Ellen were married in 1941.
Mr. Benton was a veteran of the United States Army, having answered the call of duty to serve his country in June 1941 during the second World War. He spent his final 13 months stationed near Teheran, Iran, until receiving an honorable discharge in January 1946.
After leaving the service, he at first took up farming in the Mar Mac area, then became a truck driver for East Coast Transport Co. until his retirement in 1976. He continued to drive for several more years on an as-needed basis, making his last haul in an 18-wheeler at the age of 75.
His long and happy retirement years often found Mr. Benton fishing at one of the many piers along the North Carolina coast, or touring other parts of the country with his wife in their motor home.
Mr. Benton was a longtime member of Faith Free Will Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Benton is survived by a daughter, Beverly Stoy, of Reno, Nev.; son William Robert Jr. and a daughter-in-law Mui Yim of Singapore; special nephew, Dale Newell of Pikeville; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
A son, Charlie Corbett Benton, preceded Mr. Benton in death.
Funeral services will be held Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home, with the Rev. Christian Powell officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Burial will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park with full military honors.
The family wishes for you to know that you can honor Mr. Benton's life with flowers or by making a donation to the church of your choice.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Benton family, and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 7, 2011 1:50 PM