Obituary of A. L. Benefield

A. L. Benefield, Jr, age 88 of Ozark, died in his home Tuesday morning, October 20, 2009, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, October 22, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Reverend Dr. Christian Eckert and Reverend Dr.Jason Thrower officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens with full Masonic Rites, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. He will lie in repose at the Church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Mr. Benefield's grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The John Wesley Sunday School Class and the Wiregrass Chapter of the American Ex-POW's Organization will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday evening. Born December 24, 1920 to the late Mittie Ardella Dossett Benefield and Alter Levi Benefield in Ozark, Alabama. Mr. Benefield attended Flowers Elementary School and Dale County Junior High school. Following his graduation from Dale County High School in 1938, Mr. Benefield was employed by Western Union and served as a part-time clerk with the United States Post Office. Mr. Benefield enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942, completed his flight training at Avon Park, Florida, and was commissioned a 2Lt on October 1, 1943. He honorably served his country during World War II in the European theater flying B-17 bombers from Great Ashfield Air Field, England with the Eighth Air Force 385th Bomb Group (Heavy). His plane was shot down over Mersberg, Germany on July 29, 1944, and he was a prisoner of war from July 29, 1944 until April 26, 1945 when he was liberated from Stalag Luft 3 in Moosburg, Germany by General Patton's 3rd Army. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European Theater Ribbon with three battle stars. Following his honorable discharge from the United States Army Air Corp, he returned to his hometown and resumed his career as a clerk with the United States Post Office. He served as the Superintendent of the Mail at Fort Rucker and returned to the Ozark office as Assistant Postmaster. He retired from the United States Post Office in 1979 after 39 years of service. Mr. Benefield continued his service to his country by serving in the United States Air Force Reserve, retiring at the rank of Lieut. Colonel. Mr. Benefield was a life member and Past Commander of the Wiregrass Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War. For many years Mr. Benefield and his wife enjoyed traveling around the United States and Europe to attend Eighth Air Force, 385th Bomber Group, and POW reunions. Mr. Benefield was a Master Mason, Ozark Lodge 349, for over 64 years. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Dothan Temple. Mr. Benefield was a life member of the First United Methodist Church of Ozark where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Superintendent of the Sunday Schools, and Church Secretary for a number of years. He was Superintendent in the Junior Department for over thirty years. He was a charter member and frequent teacher of the John Wesley Sunday School class. Mr. Benefield was an active parent and frequent leader in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, helping his four sons earn the Eagle Scout Award. Mr. Benefield is predeceased in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Betty Jane Ward Benefield; his parents, and his brother Paul Benefield of Winslow, Arizona. He is survived by his sons R. Alan Benefield, of Ozark, Barry P. Benefield of Panama City, Florida, David W. Benefield (Belinda) of Ozark, and Steven A. Benefield (Catherine) of Birmingham, Alabama; grandchildren John Alan Benefield (Greta) of Auburn, Adam Benefield (Katie) of Greensboro, Brandon Benefield and Jackson Benefield of Tuscaloosa, Lisette and Parker Benefield of Ozark, Joy and Stewart Benefield of Birmingham; great-gran Service Information