William Edward Benton

He was born in Brunswick County, NC, on June 12, 1926, son of the late Royal Leo Benton and Eva Lowe Peterson Benton. Mr. Benton’s wife, Thelma Leona Skipper Benton preceded him in death.

Mr. Benton was employed with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad and Ideal Cement. He had played professional baseball with the Wilmington Pirates and the Savannah Indians, and was a faithful member of Elah Baptist Church. He was a World War II veteran serving in the United States Army.

Surviving are his son, Ronnie Wayne Benton of Leland, NC; daughter, Lynda Benton Vaughn of Kannapolis, NC; and grandson; David Matthew Vaughn of Leland, NC.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Friday, January 1, 2016, at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2016, at Greenlawn Memorial Park with Rev. Chris Hall, Rev. Donald Hardwick, and Rev. Kenneth Long officiating.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Nichols, Dr. Edward Whitesides, and the staff of Lower Cape Fear Hospice for the kindness and concern shared with Mr. Benton during his time in their care.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Elah Baptist Church, 1527 Old Fayetteville Road, Leland, NC, 28451, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, TN, 38108.