Benny Willie B.W. Hall Obituary (1923 - 2011)

Benny Willie "B.W." Hall Ogden - Benny W (B.W.) Hall passed away on March 6, 2011 at the George Wahlen Medical Center. Benny was born in Quentin, Mississippi, May 8, 1923 to Cassie Hall and Courtney Bloodshaw Hall. Benny married Willie Mae Shaw Henry on Feb. 16, 1948 in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She preceded him in death in June 2002. To this union was born one child. Benny was educated in public schools in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Brookhaven. Benny served in the United States Army during WWII. He and his unit, the 969th was deployed to England in preparation for the D-Day invasion, landed in Normandy and entered combat. He served all across Europe and was involved in the turning point of WWII when his unit withdrew into the Belgian town of Bastogne during the "Battle of the Bulge". Despite the fact that his sister unit (333rd) was wiped out and his unit having only three 155mm Howitzers' remaining, they continued the fight. The 969th were known for singing in cadence as they loaded and fired their guns. For this action, he received the US Presidential Unit Citation and the Belgian Croix D'Guerre with Palm. He served in occupied Germany before returning home. He moved to Utah with his family in 1950 where he continued to serve his country for many years as a jet mechanic at Hill Air Force Base. Benny joined the New Zion Baptist Church and was a faithful member for over 50 years. He was an Usher, Trustee and a Layman until his health failed him. Benny is survived by his granddaughters, Jaqueline Hall, Gail Henry, Gwen Henry; two grandsons, Markel Hall and Larry Kemp; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends. Benny was preceded in death by parents; wife, Willie Mae; three sons, Jackie S. Hall, James E Henry, Willie L. Henry; one daughter, Flora Mae Henry Kemp; four brothers and four sisters. Special thanks to Dr. Marc Johnson, Beehive Homes, and the staff at the George Whalen Medical Center, you served a real hero! Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the New Zion Baptist Church, 2935 Lincoln Avenue, Ogden, with Dr. Bruce Davis officiating, friends may call prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery Arrangements under the direction of Myers Ogden Mortuary. VisitationNew Zion Baptist Church 2935 Lincoln Avenue Ogden, UT March 12, 2011 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ServiceNew Zion Baptist Church 2935 Lincoln Ave. Ogden, UT 84401 March 12, 2011 11:00 AM CemeteryOgden City Cemetery 20th and Madison Ogden, UT 84404 March 12, 2011