Benny Alvin Doolin 1948-2011

Benny Alvin Doolin departed this life at 9:15 a.m., Monday, February 21, 2011, at Sunset Village of the Ozarks, St. Robert, Missouri, at the age of 62 years, 10 months and 24 days.

Benny was one of five children born to the union of the late Georgia Marie (Sutton) and Willie Alf Doolin. He was born on March 28, 1948 in Waynesville, Missouri. Benny grew up in Waynesville and graduated from Waynesville High School in 1967. As a young boy, he professed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Waynesville.

Benny was employed as a custodian for the Waynesville R-VI School District for over 20 years. He lived in Waynesville throughout his lifetime and took great pride in his community. When he saw a need, he immediately went to work soliciting assistance from whomever necessary to fulfill that need. He was instrumental in many area projects, including getting the local veteran’s organizations to replace worn flags at area schools, placing the flag pole at the St. Robert Community Center, getting the state to place a crosswalk from the Pulaski County courthouse to the south side of business route 66 and constructing the gazebo on the grounds of the courthouse. But getting helipads installed all over the county was the project of which he was most proud.

Benny was a member of the Waynesville/St. Robert Masonic Lodge #375 AF & AM, Pulaski County Shrine Club and the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple. He has served as the president of the Pulaski County Emergency Landing Zone, worked at events such as Frog Fest, Old Settler’s Day and Christmas on the Square. On May 13, 2000, Benny was honored as the “Citizen of the Decade” by the Waynesville/St. Robert Area Chamber of Commerce

Benny is survived by three siblings: Nancy Quick (Alfred) of Springfield, MO, Mary Smith of Springfield, MO and Willie O. Doolin (Nancy) of Dixon, MO; one uncle: Willis Sutton of Coquille, OR; one aunt: Ruth Doolin of Lebanon, MO; special friends: Dickie and Princess Bales, Brandon and Hilary Bales, J.B. and Cheryl King and John and Lisa Schwandt all of Waynesville, MO; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Benny was preceded in death by one brother: Robert Mede Doolin.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 24, 2011 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with Rev. Danny Graves officiating. Benny’s good friend, Sheriff J.B. King recalled his wonderful memories of Benny. Pianist Lisa Schwandt accompanied Soloist Charlas Bales as she sang “The Old Rugged Cross”. Charlas also sang “Amazing Grace Medley” and “In the Garden”. Serving as escorts were J.B. King, Dick Bales, Mike Dunbar, Billy Farnham, Kevin Hillman, Art Windham, Gene Newkirk, Johnny Burgess, Dan Cordry, Marvin Newell, Bobby Dunn, Bill Hammock, and Tony Dye.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Benny Doolin and may be left at the funeral home.