Cover photo for Benjamin Mears's Obituary
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1925 Benjamin 2011

Benjamin Mears

February 18, 1925 — January 8, 2011

Waynesville, Benjamin Leyton Mears, age 85 of Heritage Court, died Saturday, January 8, 2011 at his residence. Benjamin Leyton Mears was born in Asheville on February 18, 1925, and moved to Canton when he was young. He was the son of the late Erie Leyton, who died in 1934 when he was nine years old, and Tennessee Blackburn Mears who died in 1969. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Charlie, Ed and Leroy Mears, his sister Louise Miller and his daughter-in-law Margaret Remley Mears. He was class president of Canton High School when he graduated in 1943. Ben served in the US Army at the end of WWII with the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Division, on the Italy and Yugoslavia border, deployed under the command of the Trieste United States Troops (TRUST). He achieved the rank of 1st Sergeant at age 21, the youngest 1st Sgt in the Theater of Operations. After leaving the service, he returned to Haywood County and worked for the Champion Paper Company as a computer programmer, evolving with the computer as a COBOL programmer, and later was promoted to a Systems Analyst, and later a Systems Manager. He wrote the first computer payroll system for the Champion International Canton Mill around 1970, and was instrumental in setting up systems in other Champion Plants in Alabama and Texas. He moved to the Corporate Office in Hamilton, Ohio the last years of his employment and retired there after 40 years of loyal dedication and service to Champion. Ben moved back to Western North Carolina upon retirement, and later moved to Lake Junaluska, where he and his wife could be close to their Church, Long's Chapel United Methodist. Through the years there he performed many jobs in the Church, and was a Scoutmaster there for the Junaluska troop. He was also founder of the Clyde Little League Baseball program, and was loved by all who knew him as a caring, generous and loving person, and has left a legacy for all of his family members. Ben is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Ruth Rhinehart Mears, his daughter Coleen Hocker and husband Jerry of Cincinnati, his son Steve Mears and wife Lovenda of Clyde, and his twins Pat Sherlin and husband Ron of Newnan, GA, and Paul Mears of Walterboro, SC. Also his grandchildren, Chris Sorrells, Amy Hofmeier, Eric Hocker, Andrea McClure, Alan Mears, Justin Mears, Jessica Williams and Meredith Hendley, and great-grandchildren, Ben and Liz Hofmeier, Rachel Sorrells, Ivey and Harris McClure and Lylah Hendley, and special nephew, Charles Spence and special friend, Perry McClure. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces and all of the extended families whom he loved. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Long's Chapel United Methodist Church. Reverend Dr. Charles "Chuck" W. Wilson, III and Reverend Leyton Alan Mears will officiate. The eulogy will be presented by his son, Paul Mears. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park with military services conducted by VFW Post 5202 and American Legion Post 47. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Long's Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 459, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745. Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Waynesville is in charge of arrangements.

Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
1:00 PM 1/12/2011 1:00:00 PM - 2:45 PM 1/12/2011 2:45:00 PM
Long's Chapel United Methodist Church

175 Old Clyde Road
Waynesville, NC 28785

Long's Chapel United Methodist Church
175 Old Clyde Road Waynesville 28785 NC
United States
Visitation
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
3:00 PM 1/12/2011 3:00:00 PM
Long's Chapel United Methodist Church

175 Old Clyde Road
Waynesville, NC 28785

Long's Chapel United Methodist Church
175 Old Clyde Road Waynesville 28785 NC
United States
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