Benjamin Moye

Benjamin Lee Moye, affectionately known as "Lucky" by his comrades in Vietnam, passed away peacefully on the evening of April 3rd, 2025, in Peoria, Illinois, at the age of 80.
Born in Ridgway, Illinois on August 22, 1944, Ben spent his early years in Southern Illinois before moving to Peoria at the age of 11, where he would grow deep roots and build a life defined by courage, kindness, and craftsmanship. A proud graduate of St. Boniface and Spalding Institute (Class of 1962), Ben first worked at Keystone and later as a laborer for the bricklayers.
In 1965, Ben was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1966. He was initially assigned to Troop E 17th Cavalry. A short time after he arrived, an all volunteer unit called Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol was formed and Ben immediately volunteered for the unit which was to become one of the most elite Units in Vietnam. During his time in the LRRP's Ben was awarded 2 Bronze Star Medals for Valor, 2 Army Commendation Medals for Valor, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Parachutist Badge and other awards. His actions during his time in the LRRP's not only earned the awards, but the respect and admiration of the Officers, NCO's and all of the Team Members assigned to the LRRP's. He was an example for all to follow.
Upon returning from war, Ben began a new adventure: a life with Patricia "Patsy" Moye. He instantly became a devoted father to her two-year-old daughter Michelle and together they built a family, later welcoming their children Michael and Erin.
Ben co-founded Campen & Moye, a general contracting business which for 30 years built and remodeled luxury homes, commercial businesses, and places of worship with the same integrity he brought to every part of his life. He served as President of the Greater Peoria Home Builders' Association and a Board Member of the Illinois State Home Builders' Association. Never one to slow down, Ben launched a second career as a highly trusted and sought after construction Project Manager and Superintendent, building banks, schools and correctional facilities across the South and Midwest.
He was honored in 2008 with the "Best Project under $5M" by the Southern Chapter of the Design Build Institute of America, and again in 2017 with an Appreciation/Dedication Award from the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
But Ben's legacy extends far beyond blueprints and medals. He was the neighbor who would pull your car from a snowbank without hesitation, the friend who'd lend an ear or a hand, the father who taught you to ride a bike and fix it yourself, and the husband who took his wife on long drives in his red Corvette. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing with his children and grandson, and once spent a month camping in the mountains of Alaska-returning, of course, with a bear.
For the last 11 years, Ben poured his heart into his role as grandfather to Harrison, sharing his love of building, creating, and living with integrity. Each of his children holds special memories: Michelle being on building sites with her dad, watching and learning; Michael with his recollections of hunting with his dad; Erin fishing with her dad and learning the calm that comes from open water.
Ben was happiest spending time at home with family, friends and his beloved dog Ku'a, but he also saw quite a bit of the world, traveling with his wife to England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Portugal, Denmark, Netherlands, Russia, the Caribbean and all around the US.
Ben is survived by his beloved wife Patricia, his children Michelle Moye Da Silva, Michael Moye, and Erin Moye Randall, and his cherished grandson Harrison Benjamin Randall. He was preceded in death by his brother George and mother Elizabeth (Moye) Pirck and stepfather Paul Pirck.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Ivy Club on Sunday, April 13th, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Please RSVP on Benjamin Moye's Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to The Muscular Dystrophy Association at MDA.org. Affordable Funeral & Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. To share a memory or send a condolence to his family, visit Ben's Facebook page or www.peoriafuneral.com.
As Ben would often say, "There are no strangers, just friends I haven't met yet." May we all live with a heart as open and fearless as his.