Henen Christian Benthall, Jr.

Mr. Henen Christian “Ben” Benthall, Jr., 84, husband of Evelyn Mears Benthall, and a resident of Parksley, VA, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2016, surrounded by the warm embrace of his loving family. 

Born January 5, 1932, in Yorktown, VA, he was a son of the late Henen Christian Benthall and Ada Edwards Benthall.  Ben was a graduate of Poquoson High School, where he was a star athlete, won the state championship in track, was offered a baseball contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was awarded a football scholarship to Virginia Tech.  Following a football injury at Tech, which halted his football career, Ben enlisted in the United States Army and was later sent to Air Defense School.  His defense training earned him an assignment in the 505th missile battalion, on Long Island, NY, as a Radar Systems Specialist.  Ben was released from the Army with an honorable discharge as a Warrant Officer and began work at Fort Eustis.  After losing his first wife to illness, he moved to the Eastern Shore, in the late 60’s, where he worked at NASA Flight Facility as their Radar Systems Supervisor, and more importantly, where he would spend the happiest years of his life with his wife, Evelyn, by his side.  Ben was passionate about sharing the word of God with everyone.  His hobbies included woodworking, and he owned a craft business with his wife, traveling to trade shows throughout Virginia.  He was a member of numerous clubs and civic organizations, and was a foster parent, in his younger years, while working at NASA.  In addition to being a faithful member, junior warden, and lector of St. James Episcopal Church, Ben attained a degree in Christian Education and was a volunteer and employee of the former Christian broadcasting station, WOLC, in Princess Anne, MD.  Ben’s dedication to his church, family, country, and community remained unwavering throughout his life.  If there is one thing he would want those who knew him to attribute to his memory, it is this: “To God Be the Glory.”   

Other than his devoted wife of nearly thirty-five years, he is survived by his daughter, Jane Travis of Salisbury, MD; five step-children, Richard Steven Mears, Jr. and wife Linda of Omaha, NE, Mark Allen Mears and wife Cindy of Newport News, VA, Thomas Wayne Mears and wife Dorothy of Calabash, NC, Margery Mears Hinman and husband Warren of Gloucester, VA, and Michael Benthall Mears and wife Sara of Bloxom, VA; sister, Anne McCormick of Charlottesville, VA; brother, Joseph Benthall and wife Mary of Knoxville, TN; fifteen grandchildren, Joni, Joshua, John, Julia, Jackson, Melanie, Richard III, Kristy, Mark, Jr., Jennifer, Tom Jr., Christina, Christopher, Katherine, and Kelli; fourteen great-grandchildren; one niece; and one nephew. 

A memorial service will be held at St. James’ Episcopal Church on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., with The Reverend Cameron Randle officiating.  Interment will be private in the Liberty Cemetery, Parksley, VA. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ben’s memory to St. James’ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 540, Accomac, VA 23301.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.