Cecil Benjamin DePriest

Cecil Benjamin DePriest STAUNTON

Cecil Benjamin DePriest, 87, of Staunton, passed away Monday morning, August 8, 2011, at his residence.

He was born on February 1, 1924 in Staunton, son of the late Burleon and Anna Stiles DePriest.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Arthur, Allen and Hubert; a sister, Sarah Jarrell; and great-granddaughter, Myrtle True.

Mr. DePriest was a graduate of Beverly Manor High School, did post graduate work at Augusta Military Academy and attended Virginia Tech. He served with the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division, 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and was a life member of the 505th Regimental Combat Team Association. During World War II, he was in the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes) and Berlin Occupation. He loved to bass fish in local streams, using ultra light tackle and he enjoyed square dancing with the Flares, Squares and Golden Goofers. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church and was retired from Nationwide Insurance, where he served as a claims adjuster for 30 years.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Thelma Mowry DePriest; two daughters, Martha DePriest Bushman and her husband, William H. Bushman, and Wanda DePriest True and her husband, John E. True; grandchildren, Anne Bushman Bongiovanni and her husband, Joseph, William Gentry Bushman and his fiancee, Michelle Marks, Benjamin John True and his wife, Denay, and Virginia Louise True; great-grandchildren, Katherine, Joseph, Harrison and Alan. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

A service will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2011, at Central United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Dr. Stephanie Sault officiating. Burial will follow at Thornrose Cemetery with full military honors by the United States Army 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Team from Fort Bragg.

Honorary pallbearers will be William Bushman, Joe Bongiovanni, Ben True, Ralph Mowry Jr., Randolph Mowry, William Mowry, Bruce Mowry and Mike Gilbert.

The family will receive friends from 7 until 8 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2011, at the Staunton Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 18 West Frederick Street and at other times at the residence.

Memorial contributions may be made, in Cecil's memory, to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 953, Staunton, VA 24401, Daily Living Center, 990 E. Hopeman Parkway, Waynesboro, VA 22980 or the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939.

Relatives and friends may share memories and sign the guest register book online at www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.