Walter Benjamin Childress

Benny was born in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to Muncie and Mary Childress on December 29, 1939. He graduated from Thomasville High School in Thomasville, North Carolina. He was a draftsman by trade, working on architectural drawings and models. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965, including a year stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.

After completing his service, he moved to Atlanta with his best girl, Becky (Card). They were married in November 1965 in the pastor’s study of Wieuca Baptist Church in Atlanta. In 1972, they moved into their forever home in Chamblee with their Siamese cat and toddler daughter, Missy. Benny continued his education at Southern Tech (now part of Kennesaw State University) in Marietta, expanding his drafting and architectural services skills. Throughout his life, he worked as a draftsman, salesman, and in blueprint services.

Ben was very handy and took great pride in fixing and upgrading his home. He built a beautiful backyard deck where he loved spending afternoons and weekends with friends and neighbors. He enjoyed reading and shared that passion with his wife, daughter, and granddaughter. He cherished the many cats he had throughout his adult life.

He loved fishing with his buddies Charlie Bradford and Bill Vanlandingham, as well as annual summer trips to the beach in Destin and Panama City with his wife, daughter, and family friends, the Vanlandinghams. He also made yearly trips to Ohio to visit his daughter and her family, where he happily helped with home projects and improvements.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, John and Mary Zora Card; his brother, Doug; and his dearest sister, Carolyn (Conrad).

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Missy Auck (Merle); his treasured granddaughter, Morgan; and five nieces and nephews and their families.

The family extends many thanks to his nephew, Phillip Conrad; his faithful neighbors, Kevin Anastasi and the Carters; and family friends Sarah Adams, Kim Dejno, and Cyndi Winsor for their help and support over the past several years. The family also expresses sincere appreciation to the staff at North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, Georgia, for their excellent care and attention during his final days.

A private family service was held Wednesday, April 8, at H.M. Patterson prior to cremation. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, May 24, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at his home. Family and friends are invited to honor him by wearing a blue button-down shirt and khakis, or the color blue, when attending the celebration—those who knew and loved him will recognize the Ben “uniform.”

In lieu of flowers or plants, donations may be made to the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering & Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University (http://www.kennesaw.edu/giving) or to the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian (http://www.airandspace.si.edu/support).