Obituary of Ben W. Allen

Ben William Allen, 69yrs old, of Bonaire, GA died Tuesday, July 31, 2007 after a courageous battle with Heart Disease. Visitation services – Heritage Funeral Home, Friday Aug 3rd, 6 – 8 PM Funeral Services – First Christian Church, 2100 Highway 41, Perry on Saturday Aug 4th, 11:00 AM. He was the son of the late A.N. Jake & Mary Allen of Canton, MO. where he grew up attending 12 yrs of public school and 4 years of college. Upon his graduation from Culver Stockton College 1963 with a BA in Business Administration, he and his first wife, Pat and daughter Lynn, moved to Winston-Salem, NC. There he became the developer and owner of Allen Wrecking and Demolition for over a decade and served as an officer in the Winston Salem Volunteer Police Reserves. While in Winston-Salem he also was very active in politics at both the local and state level, taking pride in helping to elect the first Republican Governor of North Carolina. In 1975 Ben moved to Warner Robins, GA and began his construction business, Brush & Nail, which he ran for over 30 years. He married Marlene Comer Wilson in 1982 and became a faithful, loving husband to her and a loving stepfather to her three children. He played a very positive and active role in the lives of the children and considered them to be his own for the rest of his life. He was proud of all four of his children and his six grandchildren. He talked of their accomplishments frequently to anyone who would listen. Enjoying life to its fullest, Ben remained God focused and was an ambassador for Christ to many people in various walks of life. He never met a stranger. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Perry where he served as a Deacon. His example of trusting God in all things was a positive influence in the lives of his family and he was proud to be able to say that all of his children and grandchildren lead Christian lives. Ben was known as an avid story teller and prankster, a competitive card and games player, and a good friend to many people in the middle Georgia areas of Bonaire, Warner Robins, Perry and Macon. While in business here he was an active member of the Warner Robins Civitan Club, the Houston County Clean Community Commission, the Bonaire Boys’ Club and even after retirement he remained very active in the Republican Party serving as a Ga. State Delegate in 2007. He worked tirelessly on several campaigns for both local and state Republican politicians. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and positive mentor to many under his employ. He had many friends and will be sorely missed by them as well as his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marilyn Joan. Ben is survived by: His loving wife, Marlene; his sister Barbara Schafer Larry; daughter, Lynn Elkins Ken; stepdaughter, Wendy Shaw William; stepson, Jim Wilson Amy; stepdaughter, Donna Wilson; grandchildren, Quinn Elkins, Carly Elkins, Jessica Wilson, Ethan Wilson, Noah Wilson, and Autumn Wilson; two nieces and three nephews. Flowers accepted or donations may be made to the First Christian Church or the Georgia Sheriffs? Youth Homes.