William Benjamin “Ben” Dusenbury

William Benjamin “Ben” Dusenbury, born September 23, 1937, lived a life grounded in kindness, compassion and devotion to his faith and family. Ben exemplified selflessness, as he poured into others, often as he set aside his own needs. His generous spirit and acts of kindness showed up in many ways, both personally and professionally — and often quietly — as he would simply do the right thing to help others, without being asked to do so.

Ben was a loving and proud dad to his only child, Jonathan, and “Pop” to grandsons Justin and Garrett. When he met his future daughter-in-law, Ashley, in 1992, it wasn’t long before he referred to her as the daughter he never had. Ben loved spending time with his family, often joining them for a good meal, bike rides, annual camping trips to the mountains and hiking. He loved having extra time with Jonathan so much that even in his 60s, Ben jumped at the chance to go mountain biking or kayaking with his son, who loved his dad immensely. Ben’s grandsons, Justin and Garrett, were beacons of light in his life. He loved being part of their “firsts” in the early years and many moments and milestones — attending school and sports activities and seeing them become who he called “fine young men.” Ben always offered his grandsons words of encouragement and expressions of how proud he was of them. When Jonathan became a parent, he modeled fatherhood around the many examples set by his dad.

Ben grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and lived in the house “under the blue bridge” at Waccamaw with his father, Maxie Belton Dusenbury, who was the longtime Pine Island Bridge operator; mother Mary Hucks Dusenbury, and little brother Mack Dusenbury, whom he adored. In Myrtle Beach, Ben was affectionately known as “Benny.” Benny could often be found working as an attendant at the family-owned gas station or hanging around the Hillcrest Motel, another family business that his mother, Mary, managed for decades, starting in 1959.

Ben graduated from Myrtle Beach High School and served in the Army and South Carolina National Guard. He received both Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Education degrees from the University of South Carolina. While pursuing his undergraduate degree at USC, Ben was an active member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, serving as treasurer and making lifelong friends through this brotherhood of young men. In 1957, he began working with the late Honorable South Carolina State Senator James Stevens as a page at the South Carolina State House in Columbia. His first teaching job was at Fairfield Middle School, where he met a young lady named Alice JoAnn Hammond, who was practice teaching while pursuing a degree in music at Columbia College. Ben and JoAnn later married in June 1965 and welcomed Jonathan in 1970.

Ben’s strong work ethic and commitment to giving to others were at the heart of more than 36 years with South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation — at offices in Georgetown, Aiken and for 32 years, Columbia. In 1964, he was hired as a counselor to help connect people with disabilities to employment and opportunities to enrich their lives. He earned the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation in 1975 and was instrumental in developing the first “National Employ the Handicapped Week,” designated to call the public and employers’ attention to hiring handicapped individuals. During his many years with Vocational Rehabilitation, Ben was recognized numerous times for his contributions as a teammate and leader: the Elkins Award/Counselor of the Year Columbia area 1972; South Carolina Rehabilitation Professional Staff Association’s Professional of the Year, Columbia area: 1977, 1984, 1990 and 1992; South Carolina Association of Rehabilitation Secretaries’ Boss of the Year 1985; Employee of the Year 1999; and State Boss of the Year 2000. At his retirement celebration in 2000, colleagues recognized and described Ben’s admirable qualities:

Demonstrates a high level of professional competence and has an unsurpassed degree of sensitivity and warmth; exemplifies integrity, dignity, compassion, professionalism; makes people feel at ease and instills confidence in others; deals with problems and people in an objective manner and has a reputation for being fair; dependable, loyal, caring; conscientious; unruffled by frustrations; keeps his cool in a storm; manages to calm troubled waters; patient; master of diplomacy; concern for others; tactful; good listener; a mentor; devoted to helping the citizens of South Carolina have a better life.

After retirement, Ben didn’t take much time off before stepping into a role that further extended his selflessness. He became a volunteer in outpatient surgery at Lexington Medical Center, and over the course of nearly 20 years, he volunteered more than 3,000 hours. Even in his retirement years, he continued to give to — and care for — others in need.

As a devoted Christian and servant leader, Ben was an active Methodist, as a member of Union United Methodist Church and then Ashland United Methodist Church, where he was an usher, on the nominating committee, member — and later president of — Men’s Club.

Among Ben’s many wonderful qualities, he will be remembered for his quick wit, quips and anecdotes, generous heart, acts of kindness, lifelong love of reading and the Gamecocks, appreciation of good food (in particular, his favorite: banana pudding) attention to being prompt and timely — and always starting or ending a call or visit with “are y’all doing alright?”

Ben was remarkably resilient and strong over the years, as he faced his own health challenges, including lymphoma — and the heartbreaking losses far too soon of his beloved JoAnn at age 49 and brother, Mack, at age 54.

On April 12, 2026, Ben died peacefully after living a meaningful life of 88 years. He is survived by Jonathan, Ashley, Justin and Garrett, who invite you to join them in carrying Ben’s legacy forward by visiting a loved one you haven’t seen in a while; lending a hand to someone in need; calling an old friend you have lost touch with; checking in with your neighbors; taking a moment to celebrate and appreciate others; and approaching life with kindness.

Ben’s life will be celebrated on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road, Columbia, S.C. 29210, with visitation at 1 p.m. followed by a service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Rd., Columbia, S.C. 29210 or Blood Cancer United Georgia/South Carolina (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) [bloodcancerunited.org/regions/ga-sc].

Ben’s family is immensely grateful for the unwavering, unconditional love and support of Anne Dusenbury, the Manuels, Streaters, Inabinets, Splittgerbers, Jimmy Smith, Todd Dailey, Rev. Jonathan Harris, pastor of Ashland United Methodist Church — and many church members and friends.