Harold Wallace Benson Jr.

      Harold Wallace "Wally" Benson, Jr. was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Harold will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

       He was the son of Harold and Willie Benson.

      Harold was raised with one brother, Carl and one sister, Joy. Harold was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. He and his siblings shared many life experiences over the years.

      A typical teenager, Harold had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

      Harold enjoyed his college years, which may have been a challenge with all of the academics, responsibilities, and the sudden freedom that accompanied them, but Harold was able to manage the balancing act. Wally graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1957 with a BBA.

       Empathic and loyal, Harold was committed to making his new family happy.

      Harold worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Harold was blessed with two children, one daughter, Julie and one son, Harold. Another blessing for Harold was the gift of two grandsons, Hunter and Connor.

      Fortunately, Harold enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Harold worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His long and successful career in plastic sales took him to Houston, Irving, and Cape Girardeau, MO, before settling with his family in Hurst, Texas in 1968, where he worked for the McConnell Co. As a manufacturers' representative. In 1981 he bought the company, and it became Benson Plastic Sales, Inc., which is now owned by his son-in-law. Harold always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      He served his country by enlisting in the Army in 1951, during the Korean War, arriving in Korea on his 20th birthday and attaining the rank of Sergeant 1st class. He was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division and served in the Army Ski Troops on Hokkaido, Japan. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

      Harold’s faith was important to him. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Hurst.

      Harold passed away on September 1, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Wally is survived by the love of his life and bride of 58 years, Emma Lu, of Fort Worth; a loving daughter, Julie Ross and her husband Paul and their sons Hunter and Connor of Colleyville; a devoted son, Harold Wallace “Hal” Benson, III of Weatherford; a caring brother, Carl H. Benson and wife, Maynon, of Amarillo; and a caring sister, Joy F. Benson, of Seattle, Washington. Services were held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Memorial Chapel.

      Simply stated, Harold was an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Harold leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Harold Wallace "Wally" Benson, Jr.

* * * * * * * * * *

Harold Wallace “Wally” Benson, Jr., 85, passed away peacefully into his next life on September 1, 2016, due to complications from Parkinson's disease, in Fort Worth. He passed knowing how very much he was loved, secure in his faith, and confident his family, especially his son, will continue to make him proud in this world and the next. Wally was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma on July 23, 1931. His family moved to Texas, and he became a Texan, graduating from Paris High School in 1949. He served his country by enlisting in the Army in 1951, during the Korean War, arriving in Korea on his 20th birthday and attaining the rank of Sergeant 1st class. He was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division and served in the Army Ski Troops on Hokkaido, Japan. Wally graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1957 with a BBA. At UT he met his future wife, Emma Lu, also a “Texas Ex.” His long and successful career in plastic sales took him to Houston, Irving, and Cape Girardeau, MO, before settling with his family in Hurst, Texas in 1968, where he worked for the McConnell Co. as a manufacturers' representative. In 1981 he bought the company, and it became Benson Plastic Sales, Inc., which is now owned by his son-in-law. Wally enjoyed his work as a plastic salesman, but nothing was more important to him than family, friends and Church. He was a long-time resident of Bedford and member of First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Wally was a kind, loving, and attentive husband, father and grandfather. He was known for his dry wit and calm demeanor, no matter the circumstances. Wally was an honorable and decent man whose word was his bond, respected by all who had the pleasure to know him. He will be deeply and forever missed by family and friends. Wally is survived by the love of his life and bride of 58 years, Emma Lu, of Fort Worth; a loving daughter, Julie Ross and her husband Paul and their sons Hunter and Connor of Colleyville; a devoted son, Harold Wallace “Hal” Benson, III of Weatherford; a caring brother, Carl H. Benson and wife, Maynon, of Amarillo; and a caring sister, Joy F. Benson, of Seattle, Washington.