Bennie M. Weeks

Bennie M. Weeks

KANNAPOLIS - Bennie M. Weeks, retired Master Sergeant, of Tuttlewood Drive, passed away after a short illness on May 3, 2011, at the Salisbury Veterans Home with his family at his side.

Bennie was born in Benson on Oct. 26, 1919, to the late Willie G. and Florence S. Weeks. He was also preceded in death by his only brother, Robert Weeks.

Surviving him are Beulah (Peggy), his wife of 70 years; and children Janis Weeks McCarter, Sandra Weeks Fogg (Melvin) and Anthony Weeks. He is also survived by five grandchildren (Mel, Missy, Courtney, Elliott and Whitney) and 10 great-grandchildren. He attended school in Rocky Mount and, with his parents, moved to Newport News, Va.

Prior to World War II, he joined the National Guard in Newport News. At the onset of the war, he trained as a paratrooper in Ft. Benning and served primarily in the European theater. With the 504 PIR of the 82nd Airborne, he made three combat jumps (Sicily, Salerno and Holland), was one of Gen. Gavin's paratroopers who captured the Grave Bridge and Nijmegen Bridge ("A Bridge Too Far") in Holland, and made one land assault in Anzio. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and returned to the U.S. with the distinction of not missing a day of action with the 504.

In 1956, Gen. James Gavin recommended that Sgt. Weeks be the first curator of the 82nd Museum in Fort Bragg to spearhead the building and the gathering and cataloging of 82nd military memorabilia. He traveled and met with military men and women of note, including World War I Sgt. Alvin C. York, to create displays that timelined the military history of the 82nd Airborne.

After his retirement in 1963, Bennie worked until his next retirement with sheltered workshops, culminating his years with the development of Scottish Crafts in Laurinburg. Being the director gave him the opportunity to continue to use his creativity and people skills with both the community and adults with special needs.

The family wishes to acknowledge the personal, palliative care extended to Bennie and his family during his stay by the entire staff at the Salisbury Veterans Home.

Service: A memorial service will be held at Salisbury National Cemetery Friday, May 13 at 2 p.m. with full military honors.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, a memoriam may be sent to the 82d Airborne Division Museum, P.O. Box 70119, Fort Bragg, NC 28307-0119, in his honor. "Strike Hold!"

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com