He Will Be Missed

William "Billy" Benjimen

8.27.1913 - 7.12.2011

This past Tuesday, Jeff's paternal grandfather passed from this life into the next.  He was 97 years old and had lived a full life!  We are thankful that he is no longer suffering and is enjoying being in the presence of His Savior.  He will be missed though as a well beloved father, husband, grandfather, and great grandfather.  Jeff flew back to Alabama yesterday to be a the funeral today, and sadly the rest of us just couldn't join him with flights being $800.  This is amazingly, Jeff's very first grandparent to pass away (he still has 3 remaining that are alive). 

Here are some tidbits from Pepaw's obituary....

Graduating from the same high school as Jeff and his daddy (Lanny), Pepaw lettered in basketball, baseball, and football, and he also won the city tennis championship. He went on to graduate with a Bachelors Degree from Harding College, Searcy, AR in 1935 and Masters in English from Peabody College, Nashville, TN in 1940. A member of the Franklin County Sports Hall of Fame, Pepaw was also, at the time of his death, the oldest Russellville High Golden Tiger. He was also an avid golfer in his spare time.

He was a faithful preacher of the gospel working with churches of Christ in Knoxville, TN (1936-1944), Montgomery, AL (1944-1945), Maryville, TN (1946-1948), Sparta, TN (1949-1953), Searcy, AR (1953-1955), Phil Campbell, AL (1955-1980), Isbell, AL (1980-1992) and held numerous gospel meetings throughout the country. He also worked as a fill in preacher for various congregations in Franklin County, AL for several years.

Also a successful Russellville businessman, Pepaw was the third generation to run the family Printing Company and he also owned King Frosty (a fun hamburger joint) from 1952-1987 and a book Store from 1955-2001.