Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Benny Hellems, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 4, 2019.
He was born in Hinton, WV, on April 20, 1931, and was the son of Okey and Wilda Hellems.
He graduated from Hinton High School in 1949. Benny was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps during the Korean war. He also was a proud West Virginia State Trooper for 25 years, during which time he was stationed at Logan, Princeton, Hinton, Richwood, Pineville, Welch, Lewisburg, Beckley, and Elkins. At the time of his retirement, he was the director of training at the West Virginia State Police Academy. After retiring from the State Police, Benny was a 20-year employee for the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles as a hearing examiner.
In addition to his parents, Benny was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dottie, of 55 years; brothers, Charles Earl, and Donald; and first wife, Mary Carol Kraus, who passed away in 1960.
Benny is survived by his family of three children and two sons-in-law, Benny Scott Hellems of Quinton, VA, Julie Roberts (Gary) of Lewisburg, and Susan Lavenski (Terry) of Hurricane, WV.
He was a beloved and one-of-a kind “Paw Paw” to five grandchildren, Haylee, Hayden, and Hunter Roberts and Travis and Trenton Lavenski; and to one great-grandson, Brooks Proffitt.
Benny attended the Fairlea Baptist Church and was a strong man of faith. In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no service at this time.
At both their requests, Benny and Dottie’s ashes will be spread together over the New River.
McCraw Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in change of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the October 7, 2019, edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
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