He was the son of the late James and Sadie Bensten. James was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Lillian Marie Bensten.
James is survived by his daughter Leslie Overstreet (Dwight); his daughter Terry Greskevitch (Tom); his daughter Christine Denson (David); and his daughter Elizabeth Place (Jeffrey); his granddaughter Kathy Rains (Brian), his granddaughter Amy Hollis (Brian), his granddaughter Leslie Dufault (Kyle), his granddaughter Lauren Alphin (Chris), his granddaughter Christie Jo Denson, his grandson Eric James Denson, his granddaughter Kristen Fisher (Luke), his great grandson Matthew, his great granddaughter Hannah, his great granddaughter Caitlyn, his great granddaughter Graycen, his great grandson Thomas, his great grandson Hudson, his great grandson Anthony, his great grandson Blake and his great granddaughter Lilly.
He served in the U.S. Navy and retired from the U.S. Army. During his military career, James served in World War II and the Korean Conflict where he was awarded the Bronze Star. Later retired from Civil Service. He is a member of Lafayette Presbyterian Church. James was member of the North Charleston Dorchester Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and was a life member of the Freemasons. He was an avid camper, loved to work in his yard growing flowers, and square dancing with his lovely wife. A man of many talents he could fix almost anything, or he would invent a new one.
A visitation for James will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. A graveside service will occur Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 8100 Granby St., Norfolk 23505. Military honors will be accorded at the grave.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com for the Bensten family.
