Harold Wallace 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.