Benjamin 'Ben' Fulton Smith, Sr., 87, of Lynchburg, passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2017. He was the husband of Betty Watson Smith for 63 years.
Born in Wilmington, NC on January 26, 1930, he was a son of the late Walter C. Smith and Ella Mae Drew Smith and was also preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Smith and a sister, Catherine Brinkley.
Ben was a lifelong business entrepreneur and the former owner and president of Piedmont Linen Service and Piedmont Express Trucking, Lynchburg.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and was a 56-year member of Hill City Masonic Lodge 183 serving as Worshipful Master,
a 48-year member of the Lynchburg Scottish Rite rising to the 32nd degree, and a 55-year member of American Legion Post 16.
He was also a 40-year member and avid singer in the Barbershop Harmony Society where he served as the
Musical Director for the Blue Ridge men’s barbershop chorus and the Harmony Heritage women's Sweet Adelines chorus,
and sang in various quartets and choruses including the Alexandria Harmonizers.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Benjamin F. Smith, Jr. and his wife, Lisa; two daughters, Debra A. Smith,
Jerri S. White and her husband, Stephen; three grandchildren, Kristen Smith Wade, Nathaniel White, Brenden White and a
brother, Walter C. Smith, Jr.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 10, 2017 in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service by
Chaplain Robert Caldwell, with Masonic Rites following.
Burial in Fort Hill Memorial Park with military honors by American Legion Post 16.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider the
Harmony Foundation International,
110 Seventh Avenue North, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203,
which supports the Keep a Melody Ringing program of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory, (434) 239-2405 assisted the family.
Memories and thoughts may be shared with the family at
www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com.
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