Benny Lee THOMPSON

Benny Lee Thompson, 68, passed away on October 28, 2016. Benny was born September 22, 1948 in Iowa Falls, Iowa to Edward and June Smith Thompson. He was raised in Goodman, MO, where he graduated and went on to Crowder College in Neosho, MO majoring in drafting. Benny was out on a double date with someone else when he met Wanda, who was also on the double date with someone else. Benny courted Wanda for a year and they married in the summer of 1968. Eleven months after marrying Wanda, she gave birth to their son Alan. Benny was drafted into the Army in 1970 and went to Vietnam in 1971 where he served as an Artillery Sergeant shooting the Howitzer. While in Vietnam, Benny earned a Nation Defense Service Metal, a Vietnam Service Metal, Vietnam Campaign Metal, and a Bronze Star. Benny returned home in 1972, and returned to work at McDonald Douglas/Boeing, where he worked as a dedicated engineer full-time until his retirement in 2005. In 1974 Wanda gave birth to their daughter Brandie. Benny loved his property and was passionate about taking care of it. When Benny wasn’t busy taking care of his property, he and Wanda were camping, fishing and going to truck-ins. His grandchildren were the light of his life, whether he was pulling them in the tractor and trailer, eating mud pies, or convincing them he was a pirate. He would do anything to make them smile. Benny was kind to everyone, never met a stranger or had an enemy. Benny rarely had anything to say, but people often gravitated to him. Benny is survived by his wife of 48 years, Wanda Thompson, their children Alan (DarLynn) Thompson and Brandie (Jason) Walters. Siblings: Bill (Ingrid) Thompson, Ardis Granger and Cathy (Terry) West. Grandchildren: Tyler Walters, Heather (James) Hickman, Jennifer (Grant) Stivers, Brent Walters, Taylor Hueckel, Cayle Walters, Wren Walters, Cody Thompson. Great-Grandchildren Sadie, Bryn Lee, Emmalia, Allya and Elijah. . Benny was preceded in death by his parents Edward and June Thompson and adored in-laws Everett and Mabel Landers. Friends and family wishing to honor Benny’s memory may make a memorial contribution to Victory Junction Gang, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317 Family and friends will go in procession leaving the funeral home at 11:30am Thursday November 3, 2016 Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services, 2115 Parkway Dr., St. Peters, MO 63376 for a graveside service at 12:30pm at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Rd., St. Louis, MO. 63125.

Benny Lee THOMPSON

September 22, 1948 - October 28, 2016