Ben Hill Willingham Jr.

Ben Hill Willingham, Jr.

August 6, 1937 – January 1, 2026

Mr. Ben Hill Willingham, Jr., 88, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on January 1, 2026. An international businessman and naval aviator, he leaves behind a legacy defined by his leadership in both the cockpit and the boardroom.

The celebration of life service with military honors will be at 10:30 am Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Pine Grove UMC Cemetery with Pastor Bart Grey officiating.

Born on August 6, 1937, in Nashville, Tennessee, Ben was the son of Ben Hill and Dorothy Wells Willingham. He received his early education in Nashville at the Duncan College Preparatory School before continuing his studies at Georgia Tech.

Before his ventures into the business world, Mr. Willingham served with distinction as a naval aviator in the United States Navy. A skilled pilot of both propeller and jet aircraft, his flight logs included the Lockheed T2V-1 Seastar, Douglas B-26, Douglas A-4D, and the North American FJ-3M and FJ-4B Fury. His commitment to service extended well beyond active duty; he continued to serve in the Naval Reserve in Memphis and New York. In his later years, he remained a pillar of the Jacksonville squadron of the Association of Naval Aviation.

Ben's professional career was marked by a sophisticated global perspective. He spent nearly two decades with the global apparel manufacturer Genesco, Inc., rising from Vice President of the Formfit-Roger's line in New York City to Area Director of Europe. While based in Zurich, Switzerland, he established Genesco Europa AG and oversaw operations across eight countries.

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to partner with John Robertson to form Robertson Associates AG, a consulting and loan supervision firm in Zurich. In 1979, he founded Corim AG to bridge the gap between European investors and American real estate. Over the following decades, he managed diverse property portfolios across the Southeastern United States, eventually centering his efforts on the commercial markets of Savannah, Atlanta, and Jacksonville.

Ben was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Erika Willingham of Lucerne, Switzerland.

He is survived by his sister, Susan W. Simons of Nashville; his three children: Ben Hill Willingham, III (Anna K.), Kirby Shields Willingham (both of Nashville), and Katrina Marie Willingham of Zurich, Switzerland and a community of friends and fellow aviators.

If so desired memorial contributions may be made to Pine Grove United Methodist Church, 3449 Pine Grove Church Rd., Lincolnton, GA 30817.

You may sign the family's online guestbook at: www.reesfuneralhome.net.

Rees Funeral Home, 195 N Peachtree St., Lincolnton, GA 706-359-3222 would like to thank the Willingham family for your trust and confidence to serve you during this difficult time.