James Benjamin Walford, Jr, 95, went home to be with the Lord Oct. 14, 2006.
He was born in Gresham, Neb., May 12, 1911, the second of six children born to a Nebraska farmer.
He left the farm in 1937 and moved to San Jose, where he settled and found work at First National Bank.
During the years from 1937-1941, Ben was very active in his church. He sang in the choir and enjoyed acting in plays. He met the love of his life, his wife of 65 years, Mildred A. Wells at First Presbyterian Church in San Jose. They were married on July 20, 1941.
Soon after he was called to duty in World War II and was a member of the 8th Air Force Squadron stationed in England. After the war he returned to San Jose, and his job at the bank resumed, where his career spanned 36 years. He retired as Vice President in charge of Real Estate on June 1, 1973.
Ben and Mildred loved to go for rides when they were dating and that carried over into retirement. They took several trips around the United States pulling their travel trailer behind them. They moved to Lakeport in July 1987, where they attended United Christian Parish. They made their final move to the Masonic Home for Adults in Union City in October 1999. Once they settled in, they became Host and Hostess, showing new residents their way around the campus.
Ben was a member in good standing of a number of Fraternal Organizations, including Order of the Eastern Star, White Shrine, Scottish Rite, and the order of Free Masons.
On May 22, 2004 he was awarded the prestigious Hiram Award from the Acacia Lodge No. 243 of the Masons, which is the highest award given for outstanding service and Godly living. He was also a member of the Silver Sonics singing group. He loved to sing and act.
Ben was preceded in death by his father, J Ben Walford, Sr (1953); mother, Nelle Walford (1986 at age 101); sisters, Helen Dey (1976), and Mae Stephenson (1987); and son, Donald G. Walford (1986).
He is survived by his wife, Mildred; siblings, Bud Walford, Bernard Walford and Janet Campbell, all of Nebraska; son, Dr. James Benjamin (Susan) Walford III of Stockton; daughter, Jan Benkelman of Lakeport; grandchildren, Lt.Com Daniel (Lauren) Walford stationed at Whidbey Island, Wash., but now deployed to Japan, Catherine (Mark) Patterson of Sacramento and Sarrah (Joel) Martin of Colorado and close friend, Susan Noll of Lakeport. He has one great-granddaughter, Frances Patterson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ben was a very Godly man and lived his life in such a way that we were better for having known him. He was loved by all who knew him and he will be greatly missed.
A memorial service was held on Oct. 22 at the Masonic Home Chapel and he is interred at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward.
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(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Wednesday, October 25, 2006)
