Tipton Ellis Benjamin, 81, of Lometa died Oct. 30, 2008, at Rollins Brook Community Hospital in Lampasas.

A private service will be held at a later date. The body was cremated.

Mr. Ellis was born Oct. 13, 1927, in Ada, Okla., to Erwin and Susie Aldrich Franklin.

His mother later married Charles Benjamin and he adopted Tipton.

Mr. Benjamin served in the U.S. Navy for four years during World War II. He later was a purchasing agent for the Marine Corps in Arizona for 16 years.

He then began driving long-haul trucks and did that for many years.

Mr. Benjamin was a Presbyterian. He served as an elder and sang in the choir.

Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Benjamin of Lometa; three children, Greg and Kristin Benjamin of Colorado, Val and George Thomas of Rhode Island and Saundra Wilhite of Lubbock; stepchildren, Patricia and Gene Ditmore, Country Robets of Coleman and Debbie Fortner. He also is survived by grandchildren, great-grandchildren and stepgrandchildren.

SNEED Funeral Chapel

Third & Chestnut • Lampasas

512-556-1183