William Hollingsworth Benton

Mr. Benton was born in Augusta, the son of Otis and Furlow Benton. He attended Georgia Military Academy (Woodward) and graduated from Emory University in 1950. After graduation, he served in the Army, spending 13 months in Korea during the war, before finishing his tour of duty in Austria.

Mr. Benton spent his entire business career in Atlanta as a real estate investor and developer, primarily in commercial real estate.

Mr. Benton was a member of the Piedmont Driving Club and Capital City Club in Atlanta and Ocean Forest and Sea Island Club at Sea Island. He was a member of the St. Philips Episcopal Cathedral in Atlanta where he was married, and Christ Church on St. Simons Island.

Mr. Benton is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ida (Tuddy) Pennington Benton and three daughters: Isabelle Benton of Haverford, PA; Alice Major (William A.) of Birmingham, AL; and Elizabeth Johnson (Robert) of Indian Wells, CA. He also has two grandsons: Alexander Major and Billy Benton Johnson.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements and a memorial service will be held at Christ Church on Monday, December 26, 2011, at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Simons Land Trust, 1624 Frederica Road, Ste. 6, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.