Obituary of BENJAMIN W. NEELY

Benjamin W. Neely, 81, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021. A resident of Fort Walton Beach for over fifty years he was born in Prescott, Arkansas to Mildred Nelson on October 12, 1939. Ben graduated from the Culver Military Academy before enrolling in and proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps. During his residence in Ft. Walton Beach and Dothan, Alabama Ben worked tirelessly in the Automotive Sales Industry earning numerous National awards and accolades. No one who met Ben forgot his infectious personality, charm and charisma. Many individuals in life benefitted from his advice and wise counsel. He will be remembered by his teasing jokes, his wildly entertaining stories, his powerful testimony, his unfailing work ethic, his generous smile and his willingness to always help someone in need. In his later years when Heart Disease robbed him of his strength and stamina, it also gave him a softness that many treasured. His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his longtime companion and caregiver Brenda Sams, children Rachael Stokes, Rebecca Barney, Shanon Neely-Wagner and Sharon Neely, his ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren and his sister Jeannine Cole. There will be a small service for immediate family members only. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the American Heart Association.