Benjamin Louis Ramsay III

Benjamin Louis Ramsay III, of Wake Forest, NC, died peacefully the evening of June 5th at Cadence at Wake Forest. He was born in Watertown, NY, on July 4, 1944-a date that suited a man who embodied both quiet patriotism and a firecracker spirit.
Known lovingly as "Bat" to family and friends, Ben lived a life rich in laughter, love, and purpose. He was the son of the late Benjamin II and Betty Ramsay, and grew up in Watertown and Delphi Falls, NY, among a large, lively group of siblings, neighborhood kids, and animals. Even as a child, he was the responsible one in the crowd-the one who kept order and made sure everyone stayed safe.
Ben served his country with honor, achieving the rank of Specialist 5 in the U.S. Army and earning honors such as the Expert Rifle M-14 for marksmanship. He worked in military intelligence, analyzing maps of enemy territory. His time stationed in Japan left a lasting impression, instilling a quiet discipline and deep respect for other cultures. After his service, Ben built a life grounded in family and hard work. He attended Arizona State briefly before returning to Central NY where he worked as a surveyor, computer programmer, and later as a school bus driver in LaFayette, NY, and Wilmington, NC-careers that reflected his love of design, mechanical thinking, children, and community.
A true craftsman, Ben built the family home, fixed countless cars, and could rake a beach smooth as glass. He had a gift for understanding how things worked-and the patience to teach others. He loved the water, sailing and boating, and spent countless hours teaching kids how to swim, body surf, and love the outdoors. He was a grill master, storyteller, cowboy movie fan, and a lifelong lover of muscle cars and sing-along music. He brought joy, silliness, and a light-hearted spirit to every gathering. He could always be found in the center of the action charming the ladies and entertaining the room. His lively voice, full-bodied laugh, and legendary snoring became his unmistakable signature.
Beneath the playfulness was a deeply grounded man-a loving husband, father, and man of faith who ensured his family had not just what they needed, but what they wanted. He showed love through actions. Every evening from work, he greeted his beloved wife, Wendy, with a hug and kisses before anything else. His love for her was quiet and enduring; though she passed years earlier, she remained ever-present in his heart. At the family dinner table, he brought his day to life through stories, always finding ways to teach, entertain, and connect. He made room in their lives for beach vacations, camping adventures, and road trips filled with music, laughter, and the occasional unexpected detour. He lived for 34 years in the family's LaFayette, NY home, before moving with Wendy to Wilmington in 2003.
Ben is preceded in death by his wife, Wendy; his brothers Jimmy and Charles; and a lifetime of animals that all surely greeted him joyfully at the gates.
He is survived by his children: Heather Ramsay, Melicent Kuryla (Thomas), and Benjamin L. Ramsay IV (Allison); his grandchildren: Zachary, Cassidy, Benjamin V, and Ellis; his sister, Sadye-Ann (Thomas); his brother, Bryan; and many dear friends and extended family.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, June 18th from 6–8 PM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 19th at 11:30 AM in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow on Friday, June 20th at 2 PM at Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, NC. Family and friends are welcome to come and share their "Bat-man" stories. Cards may be sent to 723 S Main St., Wake Forest, NC 27587.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org (DadRamsay@gmail.com).
In celebrating Ben's life, we remember a man who lived fully, loved deeply, gave generously, and never ran out of stories. His legacy lives on in every belly laugh, Beach Boys song, and 4th of July.
Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Ramsay family.