Benare Harold "Ben" Workman

PRINEVILLE - ‘Ben’ Benare Harold Workman, 87, a resident of Prineville, died at his home Sunday, October 14, 2007. He was born on May 2, 1920, in Kimball, Alberta, Canada, the fourth child of Thomas Leavitt and Mary Emma Marsden Workman. He moved to Oregon with his family in 1937. He married Donna Wall on June 26, 1940 in the Alberta Canada Temple. During World War II, he worked in the shipyards at night, and by day, started a machine shop with his father, T.L. Workman & Sons, Inc. Ben operated the shop in Woodburn from 1942 until 1972, manufacturing truck beds, hoists, and repairing equipment. Ben and Donna moved to Silverton in 1962, where they owned a ranch. In 1972, Ben sold T.L. Workman & Sons, and moved his family to Powell Butte, where he purchased a 1500 acre ranch, fulfilling a childhood dream to raise cattle. He called his cattle his "flowers." Two years later, he sold the ranch and moved into Prineville. In 1977, he purchased a small acreage, and started B.H. Workman & Sons, Inc. They opened the shop and continued the tradition of the finest quality manufacturing, to produce hoists and truck beds, pioneering many new conveniences for the truck and farm. He held patents on several machines, including the dual hydraulic truck hoist, the transfer trailer system, and the hydraulic hitch.Ben is a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. He has served in many capacities in the Willamette Valley and in central Oregon, including branch president, district president, missionary, teacher, and served in stake presidencies and bishoprics. In 1988, he was ordained a patriarch in the Redmond Oregon Stake. Ben and Donna served missions in India and among the Filipino people of San Francisco. Ben and Donna were Portland Temple workers from 1989 until Donna's death on November 19, 1997. Ben continued serving in the temple with his second wife. He married Liola Holden Chase on March 28, 1998 in Portland. He truly is a giant of a man who loved his family and all people.He is survived by his wife, Liola of Prineville; daughters, Linda (Jess) Stewart of Prineville, Sheila (Jack) Kingston of Lebanon, Sue Bell of Prineville, Jeanene (Ray) Brown of Riverton, Utah, Jill (Tim) Searle of Levan, Utah, and Roxanne Workman of Hillsboro; sons, Rulon (Berniece) of Prineville, Curtis (Mo) of Prineville, Scott (Nadine) of Peoria, Arizona, and Bruce (Mary) of Dallas; along with 46 grandchildren, 66 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings, Marsden ‘Mick’ (Bettie)    Workman of Salem, Juanita (Alex) Fobert of Woodburn, Lorraine (Willie) Reck of Beaver Creek, and Wayne (Rita) Workman of Albany; and sisters-in-law Mary Lou Workman and Iris Workman. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Donna Workman; his parents; siblings, LaVar Workman, Audrey Fletcher, Necia Bennett, Gerald ‘Ged’ Workman and Ronald Workman.Viewing will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Friday, October 19th, with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m., in the Prineville Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 20th in the Belle Passi Cemetery, Woodburn. Arrangements are by Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.dallastribute.com.