Bobby Dean Benton, 82, of Wamego, Kansas, died Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at St. Francis Health Center in Topeka. He was a long time resident of the community.
Bobby was born July 23, 1930, in Wewoka, Oklahoma, the son of Guy and Martha Spears Benton. He attended early schools in Nebraska and Missouri. He received a technical certificate for automotive mechanic in Topeka. During the Korean Conflict, Bobby served in the United States Marine Corps from 1952 until 1954. Then from 1958 until 1962, he served in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. He then served in the Reserves.
In his earlier years, Bobby helped with the construction of Tuttle Creek Dam. He worked for 10 years at the Wamego City Power Plant as an operator and mechanic. Then he did grounds and building maintenance for several years at Jeffery Energy Center. He retired due to his health.
Bobby was a member of the Odd Fellows, American Legion and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He attended the Bible Baptist Church in Wamego and then the Harvest Baptist Church in Manhattan. He enjoyed fishing and hunting when he had the time and especially enjoyed his family and grandchildren. Bobby was always willing to be of help to the people around him.
He married Wilma G. Shirley on July 3, 1961, in Leon, West Virginia. She survives at their home.
Bobby is also survived by his daughter, Christine Nott and her husband, Richard D., Wamego; his sons, Bobby Benton, Jr., and Ronald Benton and his wife, Sandra, all of Louisville; his grandchildren, Andrew Benton and his wife, Jamie, Jeremy Benton, Erica Benton, Danielle Nott, Madison Nott and a great-grandson, Atreyu Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Guy and Richard Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 26, 2012, at Campanella-Evans Mortuary in Wamego. Pastor Stephen Henderson will be officiating. Burial will follow at Louisville Cemetery. Mr. Benton will lie-in-state starting at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, at the mortuary, where the family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. They suggest memorial contributions to the Bobby Benton Memorial Fund, and those may be sent in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellafuneral.com.
