Obituary for Benford E. Hester Sr.
Benford E. Hester, Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Saturday September 25, 2021 at the age of 77.
Ben was born to both the late James (J.E.) & Arleda Green Hester on January 29, 1944 in Ofahoma, MS the eldest of the 5 children born into that union.
Ben's parents relocated from Mississippi to Warren, Ohio and finally settled in Holland, Ohio.
Ben grew up on the corner of Frankfort & Meilke Road and attended Spencer Sharples School never meeting a stranger.
He went To Macomber Vocational Technical High School and became a member of IBEW Local #8 to further advance his education and training to become a licensed and bonded electrician and would later become the Owner And Operator Of 'HESTER ELECTRIC' & was also awarded the 'Black Businessman Award' which was published in the Toledo Journal Newspaper.
Ben enjoyed riding his motorcycle and even helped to found one of the original black motorcycle clubs in the city of Toledo back in the early 60's and raced cars at Hines Farms.
Ben married Kathaleen Lewis on April 11, 1963 and to that union 5 children were born and he affectionately became known as 'HEADQUARTERS'
He enjoyed roller skating, playing cards, good food, cracking jokes often tickling his own self, his Black Velvet, Little Kings & His Water and also was a great artist freestyle drawing characters.
At one of the regular restaurants he frequented along with his retiree buddies, "KT's The Diner" Ben has his very own signature item known as 'BEN'S SPECIAL' on their menu.
He also enjoyed sitting on his front porch watching the rabbits who would come and just lay across the sidewalk looking up at him and Ben simply asked: "Hey How You Doing?" while drinking his coffee and listening to his smooth jazz, the sounds of Motown, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes and even enjoyed listening to one of his favorite artist Charlie Pride as he sang "KISS AN ANGEL GOOD MORNING" and Ben knew all the words as he sang along.
In addition to both his parents, Ben was also preceded by his granddaughter Rontrice E. Gordon and Adoptive Son Victor D. Alexander, Paternal Grandparents James & Lovie Hester and Maternal Grandparents Willie Cassel & Erdel Green.
A Life Well Lived, Ben touched the lives of many and was genuinely loved, admired and well respected. He Will Be Dearly Missed By All Who Knew Him.
Ben leaves to cherish his memory his children: KaTrina (Ronald) Gordon, Benford E. (Robin) Hester Jr., Chad W. Hester, Sr., Andrea M. Hester & Monica L. Ensley; Sisters Tesser D. Badgett & Roxanne (Jonathan) Belcher Holland, OH; Brothers Vincent P (Sylvia) Conyers, GA & Kelsey J. (Zonia) Hester Dallas, TX;
Grandchildren: Ronald (Bj) Gordon II, Edwin J. Hester, Paris A. Pattin, Chad W. Hester, Jr, Ricco R. Gordon, Sierra C. Hester, Dionte' M. Mcclendon Sr., RaSean E. Gordon, Dijon M. Mcclendon, Brian M. Hester, Romeo E. Ensley, Adrian Hester, Romesha Ensley, Marisha Hester; Along with
(27) Great Grandchildren
Childhood Best Friends Better Known As 'HIS BROTHERS'; Frank Badgett, James 'Slim' Armstrong, Jimmy Thompson, Edgar Mosley & Bryce Johnson; Special Son Desmond Lockard & Special Niece Lisa G. Johnson & Tamar Badgett As Well As A Host Of Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins & Friends.
The Family of Ben Hester, Sr. Would Like To Thank Everyone For Their Kind Words & Condolences.
We Would Also Like To Thank Dr. Anil Mehta, Dr Anand Ravendrin, Dr Nicholas Lopez Also Davita Dialysis At Miracle Mile For Their Exceptional Care Provided.
Ben was born to both the late James (J.E.) & Arleda Green Hester on January 29, 1944 in Ofahoma, MS the eldest of the 5 children born into that union.
Ben's parents relocated from Mississippi to Warren, Ohio and finally settled in Holland, Ohio.
Ben grew up on the corner of Frankfort & Meilke Road and attended Spencer Sharples School never meeting a stranger.
He went To Macomber Vocational Technical High School and became a member of IBEW Local #8 to further advance his education and training to become a licensed and bonded electrician and would later become the Owner And Operator Of 'HESTER ELECTRIC' & was also awarded the 'Black Businessman Award' which was published in the Toledo Journal Newspaper.
Ben enjoyed riding his motorcycle and even helped to found one of the original black motorcycle clubs in the city of Toledo back in the early 60's and raced cars at Hines Farms.
Ben married Kathaleen Lewis on April 11, 1963 and to that union 5 children were born and he affectionately became known as 'HEADQUARTERS'
He enjoyed roller skating, playing cards, good food, cracking jokes often tickling his own self, his Black Velvet, Little Kings & His Water and also was a great artist freestyle drawing characters.
At one of the regular restaurants he frequented along with his retiree buddies, "KT's The Diner" Ben has his very own signature item known as 'BEN'S SPECIAL' on their menu.
He also enjoyed sitting on his front porch watching the rabbits who would come and just lay across the sidewalk looking up at him and Ben simply asked: "Hey How You Doing?" while drinking his coffee and listening to his smooth jazz, the sounds of Motown, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes and even enjoyed listening to one of his favorite artist Charlie Pride as he sang "KISS AN ANGEL GOOD MORNING" and Ben knew all the words as he sang along.
In addition to both his parents, Ben was also preceded by his granddaughter Rontrice E. Gordon and Adoptive Son Victor D. Alexander, Paternal Grandparents James & Lovie Hester and Maternal Grandparents Willie Cassel & Erdel Green.
A Life Well Lived, Ben touched the lives of many and was genuinely loved, admired and well respected. He Will Be Dearly Missed By All Who Knew Him.
Ben leaves to cherish his memory his children: KaTrina (Ronald) Gordon, Benford E. (Robin) Hester Jr., Chad W. Hester, Sr., Andrea M. Hester & Monica L. Ensley; Sisters Tesser D. Badgett & Roxanne (Jonathan) Belcher Holland, OH; Brothers Vincent P (Sylvia) Conyers, GA & Kelsey J. (Zonia) Hester Dallas, TX;
Grandchildren: Ronald (Bj) Gordon II, Edwin J. Hester, Paris A. Pattin, Chad W. Hester, Jr, Ricco R. Gordon, Sierra C. Hester, Dionte' M. Mcclendon Sr., RaSean E. Gordon, Dijon M. Mcclendon, Brian M. Hester, Romeo E. Ensley, Adrian Hester, Romesha Ensley, Marisha Hester; Along with
(27) Great Grandchildren
Childhood Best Friends Better Known As 'HIS BROTHERS'; Frank Badgett, James 'Slim' Armstrong, Jimmy Thompson, Edgar Mosley & Bryce Johnson; Special Son Desmond Lockard & Special Niece Lisa G. Johnson & Tamar Badgett As Well As A Host Of Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins & Friends.
The Family of Ben Hester, Sr. Would Like To Thank Everyone For Their Kind Words & Condolences.
We Would Also Like To Thank Dr. Anil Mehta, Dr Anand Ravendrin, Dr Nicholas Lopez Also Davita Dialysis At Miracle Mile For Their Exceptional Care Provided.