Tupelo – Rev. William J. Benefield, 87, died Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Golden Living Center after a lengthy illness. He was born September 10, 1921 in Lee County to Joseph and Jimmie Benefield. He was a graduate of Unity High School and a member of the first graduating class of Itawamba Junior College. He attended Mississippi State University and was a WW II Army Veteran where he earned the Purple Heart. He was a minister for over 40 years serving in and around Lee County, a school teacher and a member of Thomas Street Baptist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed doing carpentry work.Services will be 11 A.M. Wednesday at Lee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Grady Davidson officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.Survivors include his wife of nearly 60 years, Janie Jones Benefield of Tupelo; one son, Danny Benefield of Smithville; six daughters, Jimmie Hicks of Mooreville, Debra Bradley (Doyle) of Mooreville, Judy Royce (Richard) of Bethlehem, PA, Pauline Smith (Barry) of Fulton, Lynn Mize (Thomas) of Saltillo and Sonja Byars (Jimbo) of Houlka; nine grandchildren, April Gonzales (Joe), Shane Hicks, Kim Bradley (Fiancé Derek Mishou), Cathy Bradley, Will Smith, Casey Smith, Maegan Mize, Joby Byars and Sawyer Byars; one great-grandchild, Abby Grace Gonzales.He was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law, Terry L. Hicks; six sisters, Mittie Lou Raper, Marie Brooks, Cleatous Benefield, Lois Benefield, Alice Barber and Mae Barber; one brother, John Robert Benefield.Pallbearers will be Shane Hicks, Doyle Bradley, Richard Royce, Barry Smith, Thomas Mize, Jimbo Byars, Will Smith and Joe Gonzales. Honorary Pallbearers will be Billy Joe Raper, James Raper, Johnny Benefield and W.C. Barber. Visitation will be 4 P.M. – 8 P.M. Tuesday.

Copied from djournal.com