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- [S16] Obituary.
July 29, 1931 - May 3, 2015
Ben R. Clements, 83, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Ben was born on July 29, 1931 in Soddy, Tennessee. He was the sixth of twelve children born to Arlie and Ollie Clements. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers Dean, John, Charles Wallace, Jim Clements and two sisters Shirley Matherley and Madge Lockhart.
Ben completed his high school education at Soddy-Daisy High School in 1949 and earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering at the University of Chattanooga in 1963. He met Shirley Sims and they married on July 16, 1955. Ben worked as foundry manager for many different companies over a period of 20 years from Tennessee to Texas including the Crane Company, Ross Meehan, U.S. Pipe and Ling Temco Vault (LTV). After the foundries closed, he was employed for 30 years as Environmental Health and Safety Director for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. While there he wrote many safety directives which are still in use today. He retired in 2000. Ben had a passion for life and over the years expressed that passion in the form of poetry. His poems focused on his church, family and his home back in east Tennessee. He was known as "Gentle Ben" to many as he served as an elder, deacon, and teacher at MacArthur Park Church of Christ for almost fifty years. He also preached at area churches, performed many wedding ceremonies and reached out to those in need. His presence will remain in the lives of many who knew him.
Ben is survived by his wife of sixty years, Shirley Sims Clements, daughter Dede Clements Shelton, son-in-law John Shelton and grandchildren Shelby and Mitchell Shelton. He is also survived by his siblings Jerry & Larry Clements, Betty Crawley, Dorothy Yasko, and Lane Hall; sister-in-law, Martha Antoni and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Minister Bill Greer and his brothers, Ministers Jerry and Larry Clements officiating. Burial will follow at Varner Cemetery in Soddy-Daisy. Visitation is Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Condolences and memories can be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.. Arrangements are by Williamson and Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.
- [S8] Soddy-Daisy, Images of America, Sonya A. Haskins, Cathy A. Hawkins, (Arcadia Publishing, 2006), ISBN 0-7385-4236-9., Page 27.
- [S137] Hamilton County Tennessee Marriage Records, Hamilton County Clerk's Office, (https://secure2.hamiltontn.gov/CClerk/Marriage_License/PublicScreens/LicenseSearch.aspx).
Date Married: 7/16/1955 Book: 047 Page: 209 License: 08625
Groom Information
Name (FML): BENNY CLEMENTS
Address: NOT RECORDED County: HAMILTON Birthplace:
City/State/Zip: SODDY TN
Bride Information
Name (FML): SHIRLEY SIMS
Address: NOT RECORDED County: HAMILTON Birthplace:
City/State/Zip: SODDY TN
Officiant Name: W. H. SNEED, MINISTER
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