Breckenridge Texan

William Benson Alexander

William Benson Alexander
July 27
09:45 2018

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” William Benson Alexander believed these words of Christ and is now with his Lord. “Ben” died on July 21, 2018, at the age of 81 in San Antonio, Texas – a place he has called home for most of his life.

Ben was born on November 5, 1936, in Fort Worth, Texas. He spent his formative years with family in Breckenridge, Texas. Ben graduated from McMurray College with a degree in History. He went on to teach junior high in various schools throughout his career and also had the opportunity to coach football and baseball for various ages during his years in Texas public school system.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh L. Alexander and Virginia Athey Alexander. He is survived by his brother, Robert Newell Alexander and sister-in-law Peggy of South Carolina, as well as two nephews, Robert W. Alexander of Atlanta, Georgia, (and wife, Becky Alexander, and their two boys) and Michael B. Alexander of Bentonville, Arkansas, (and wife, Mary Grace Alexander, and their four  children), and one niece, Sandra Alexander Lanclos of Augusta, Georgia, (and husband, Damien Lanclos, and their two children).

A memorial service is planned at Chapel Hill UMC in San Antonio on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at 11 a.m. The burial will occur at the Breckenridge Cemetery in Breckenridge, and a service will be held at the Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home Chapel in Breckenridge on Monday, July 30, at 10 a.m. This service will be officiated by the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Breckenridge.

Ben served in the Texas National Guard with the 49th Armor Division and served active duty during the Berlin Crisis. His service to our country included a tenure as a cook. This area of service became a passion for him, and he enjoyed telling stories (often comical ones) about his many cooking antics and adventures while serving in the Army kitchens.

Ben loved to tell stories, and the range of topics included history (especially Texas state history), coaching stories, stories about his family, church and the folks he knew and cared about, Westerns and the great cowboys of old (Gene Autry, Roy Rogers…), and conversations about old-time classic TV/movie stars and characters like Ma and Pa Kettle and Abbot and Costello. Ben also enjoyed Southern Gospel Music.

Late in life, Ben became a real estate agent and developed an interest in gem stones. Perhaps some of you even had the privilege to see him at one of San Antonio’s craft fairs or were a recipient of one of his rock creations. While Ben truly enjoyed making crafts from gem stones, he also enjoyed giving them for birthdays, Christmas and special occasions.

Ben loved his church in San Antonio, and the people of Chapel Hill UMC were especially kind to him during the latter years of his life. As long as he was able, Ben enjoyed cooking Wednesday night meals at the church – especially desserts.

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