Walter Franklin Benton

January 7, 1952 - June 10, 2020

Walter Franklin Benton, age 68, of Hancock County, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2020. A Memorial Service will be 11am Saturday, November 27, 2021 at the Devereux United Methodist Church. Walter was born January 7, 1952 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Owen Franklin Benton and the late Raynelle Wilkins Benton. Mr. Benton grew up in Siluria, Alabama, attended Stephens County High School and graduated from Tallulah Falls School. He was a Boy Scout, an accomplished swimmer and diver, played high school basketball, football and baseball. He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He sreved as a police officer with the Tifton Police Dept, worker as an agent for Interstate Life and Accident Company and as an Auditor for Dixie Oil Company. Walter always loved being around water and talking to people, finding out about everybody he met. Walter moved to Devereux in 1992 after his marriage to his wife Donna. Together they started their farm, where he learned the ins and outs of ranching and farming. He soon learned to love the lifestyle. He loved giving hayrides and tours to children's groups. Other interest included following SEC football, The Florida Gators, collecting Antiques and Native American artifacts. He remained interested in Native American History and ancestry. Walter is survived by: his wife, Donna Andrews Benton ; 2 sons, Franklin Andrews “Drew” Benton of Hancock County and Robert Owen Benton of Thomasville ; a daughter, Lori Benton Bacot of Greenwood, SC ; 2 sisters, Susan Benton McClellan (& John) of Rome and Sandra Benton Fowler of Toccoa ; and a brother, Michael Benton (& Rhonda) of Tuscaloosa, AL. Condolences may be expressed online at: www.williamsfuneral.net Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Milledgeville is in charge of arrangements.