Obituary for Paul L Benford
PAUL LAWRENCE BENFORD
YOUNGSTOWN – Paul Lawrence Benford, 79, passed away peacefully at Hospice of the Valley, surrounded by his family, on May 12, 2012.
Paul was born on May 6, 1933, in Youngstown, to parents Charles Sr. and Bertha Benford, both of whom are now deceased.
He was a 1951 graduate of East High School in Youngstown. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served for five years. Upon his return to civilian life, Paul was employed by the Mahoning County Engineers. Subsequently, he became employed at General Motors and retired as a supervisor after 33 years of service. He later accepted a post retirement position with General Motors, serving in supervisory positions in Austin, Texas and Mansfield. His final employment was with Postal Priority, where he delivered supplies to the various hospitals and banks.
Paul was a people person. He enjoyed debating with his family and friends and always taking the opposing view. Some of his most rewarding moments occurred when he volunteered in the Food Distribution program at the Centenary United Methodist Church. This position gave him an opportunity to serve and talk to a lot of people. He enjoyed traveling, playing cards and watching his favorite football teams, Cleveland Browns and Ohio State.
Paul will always be remembered and loved by his family and friends as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. All whose lives he touched, will cherish is memory forever.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 50 years, the former Mary Franklin; a daughter, Debra Harris of Troy, Mich.; a son, Kevin (Jennifer) Benford of Youngstown; two grandsons, Mitchell Harris Jr. of Washington, D.C. and Ryan Harris of San Diego; one sister, Barbara Betters; a brother, Charles Benford Jr.; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Clement Benford; and two sisters, Dorothy Ricketts and Betty Hodge.
Friends may call Wednesday, May 16, 2012, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home and on Thursday, May 17, 2012, from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will follow immediately on Thursday at 1 p.m.
The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley, St. Elizabeth staff, Boardman Campus and Caprice Health Care Center for the kind and compassionate care shown to Paul.