BENNIE ASHLEY

Services for Bennie Earl Ashley, 81, of Kilgore will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church of Kilgore with the Reverend Doctor William J. Ingersoll officiating. Burial will follow in Pirtle Cemetery. Mr. Ashley passed away Friday, August 29, 2008 in Longview, Texas.

Mr. Ashley was born May 16, 1927 in Kilgore, Texas. He was one of six children born to the late Melvin and Sedalia Ashley. His family lived in the Steble Grove Community and Bennie knew the value of hard work. The family was faithful members of Harmony Pirtle Church. Mr. Ashley graduated from C. B. Dansby High School. After graduation, he went to work for Kilgore Ceramics. He later went to work for Rudy Thrower as a mechanic at Rudy's Gulf. Bennie worked for Mr. Thrower for thirty years until the station was closed. He then went to work for the First Presbyterian Church where he worked for twenty-five years until he retired.

Bennie loved to work on cars and loved to talk and joke with people. He was a good friend to all and will be missed by all who knew him.

His three daughters, Cheryl Ashley of Desoto, Debbie Ashley Johnson of Longview, and Angela Ashley Ingram of Longview; and a brother, Eugene Ashley of Longview; and Bernice Arnold, a companion of thirty years survive Mr. Ashley.

His parents; his wife Corda Mary London; and four brothers preceded him in death.

There will be no formal visitation

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