Henry "Ben" Bennett Drexler

Ben was born in Tifton, Georgia to the late George Henry and Martha Jane Fletcher Drexler. He was the eldest of eight children. He graduated with a BS in Physics from North Georgia College in 1953 before serving two years as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army. Ben moved to Orlando, Florida in 1959, where he worked as a Microelectronics Engineer for Lockheed Martin for 49 years. He received his MS in Physics from Rollins College in 1972. Since his retirement, Ben has been active in the Lockheed Martin retirees' club, REALM, serving as President for the past three years. He was a regular bridge player, a voracious reader, and a frequent judge at local science fairs. He loved to dance and was rarely seen without a crossword puzzle in this pocket.

Ben was predeceased by his first wife, Janet Roper Drexler; his sisters Rita Drexler and Martha Drexler; and brothers Jackson Stanley Drexler, Albert Michael Drexler, and Paul Gregory Drexler. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Clarice Cox Drexler of Orlando, Florida; brothers Charles (wife Sally) of Tifton, GA and Mark (wife Jan) of Calhoun, CA; sisters-in-law Shirley Drexler (Stanley), Wylene Drexler (Albert), and Sandy Drexler (Greg); son Steven George Drexler (wife Francene) of Birmingham, AL; daughters Lisa Kay Tracy of Orlando, FL and Susan Leigh Franzen (husband Richard) of Davenport, FL; step-son Zeke Williams (wife Darcie) of St. Augustine, FL; and step-daughter Lou Lizzette Williams of Bunnell, FL. "Papa" is survived by loving grandchildren Lindsey Riane Drexler, Sarah Frances Drexler, and Ryan Patrick Woodburn of Birmingham, AL; Christine Janet Woodburn of Asheville, NC; Heather Leigh Dudding (husband Victor) of Winter Haven, FL; Jacinta Jane Franzen and Richard Joseph Franzen, Jr. of Davenport, FL; Ezekiel Dunn Williams and Casey Ann Williams of St. Augustine, FL; and Olivia Grace Holcombe (husband Blake) of Valrico, FL. Papa also leaves behind loving great-grandchildren Emma Alie Dudding and Ella Hayden Dudding of Winter Haven, FL; and Zeke Dunn Williams IV of St. Augustine, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Ben's Life will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Gotha, FL on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 with Visitation at 1:00pm and Service at 2:00pm with a Reception to follow. A Graveside Service will be held the following day, Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Tifton, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ben's name to: University of North Georgia, UNG Foundation, PO Box 1599, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com