1933
2014
William B. "Bill" Benton, Jr., a resident of Dothan, died Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Flowers Hospital. He was 81.
Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at Byrd Funeral Home Chapel on West Main Street with the Rev. Kyle Gatlin officiating. Interment with military honors will be held at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell, Alabama at 1:30 p.m. CST. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday prior to service time.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Museum of the U. S. Army, Ft. Belvoir, VA or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Mr. Benton was born January 23, 1933 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was a graduate of Baton Rouge High. In 1956, he entered the U.S. Army and served in Korea, Germany, and three tours in Vietnam before retiring in 1979 at Lt. Colonel. He was the recipient of numerous awards during his military career including twice awarded the Legion of Merit, seven Air Medals and Master Army Aviator Wings.
In 1988 he was asked to manage the Southeast Alabama Regional Airport (formerly Opp/Andalusia Airport). He served as director for 20 years and the terminal there is now named "The Bill Benton Terminal". Mr. Benton was named "Airport Manager of the Year" in 1996 and was inducted into the "Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame" in 2011. He was both fixed and rotary wing rated and a Master Army Aviator. He was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn R. Benton of Dothan; a son, William B. Benton, III (Pauline) of Mansfield, TX; three grandchildren, Emily, Stacey, and Stephen Benton, all of Mansfield, TX.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
March 26, 2014
Jillian
I didn't know Mr. Bill for very long, but he was a great man. He was always kind and had a wonderful sense of humor. We all will miss him greatly.
February 4, 2014
Vince Miller
Carolyn, I only had the opportunity to meet you and Bill a couple of times through my brother Steve, but I was very impressed with you both. I found you to be extremely gracious, and I dearly loved Bill's wicked sense of humor. It was an honor to know him.
February 4, 2014
STEVE MILLER, MD
BILL WAS MY COMMANDING OFFICER IN VIETNAM. HE WAS TRULY A GREAT GENTLEMAN AND OVER THE YEARS A WONDERFUL FRIEND AND DURING MY TRIPS THROUGH DOTHAN CAROLYN AND BILL ALWAYS GRACIOUSLY OPENED THEIR HOME TO ME AND MY FAMILY.
HE WAS A SPECIAL FRIEND AND I WILL REALLY MISS HIM.
DR STEVE MILLER
February 3, 2014
Heath Hogue
To the Benton Family,
Open Door Baptist Church in Grand Prairie is praying for you during your time of loss.
February 3, 2014
I was privileged to be a friend of Bill and Carolyn for many years. I've known Bill since the 1st grade of school. I'm so proud of the accomplishments that he achieved in his life. Farewell, my friend.
JoAnn W. Wisford
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