Benjiman William "Ben" Anderson

ANDERSON, Benjiman William "Ben," passed away peacefully on March 31, 2010, just weeks shy of his 90th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia Austin Anderson; his children, Bruce (Carol Sue), Carol Ann Norman (Bobby), Keith (Martha); grandchildren (chronologically), Eric, Nicole, Todd, Julie, Lisa, Austin and Will; three great- grandchildren, Rachel, Victoria and Madeline; his sisters, Louise Berger and Mildred Crostic. He was the eldest of four children. He was preceded in death by his most beloved grandmother, Clara Cox Martin; his parents, Clyde Sr. and Lessie Martin Anderson; and his brother, Clyde Jr. A lifetime Chesterfield County resident, Ben was also a lifetime member of Providence United Methodist Church. Having joined in June 1930, at his passing, he held the longest membership in the church. He was a member of the Providence Retired Club. Ben graduated from Manchester High School in 1938, and went to work for C&P Telephone Company. At 21 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, Signal Battalion, just one month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and stepped off a boat onto Hawaii on his 22nd birthday. He later served in the Philippines. After the war, he returned to the Telephone Company, and retired after 42 years, joining Local 2201 Retired Members Club. Not one to just sit around, he worked at his neighborhood Ukrop's after retirement. Ben was involved with scouting and volunteered with Boy Scout Troop 862 for many years. He also volunteered at McGuire Veterans Hospital, doing his best to honor and support our injured war heroes however he could. He liked to visit with people and always visited shut-ins and friends until he stopped driving at 85 years old. He was a good friend to many, maintaining relationships with his old Army buddies until the end. He was an avid traveler and camper, and he was able to vacation in all 50 states, Europe, Canada and Panama. His favorite vacation place of all was Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir), particularly Eastland Creek, where his family still enjoys vacationing today. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and really enjoyed his trips with friends. He was a past member of American Legion Posts 186 & 354. A celebration of Ben's life will be held on April 20 at 3 p.m., in Providence United Methodist Church, 901 S. Providence Rd., Richmond, Va. 23236. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Providence United Methodist Church and marked in his memory.



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.