Ernest Watson Benfield

Mr. Ernest Watson Benfield, 74, of 133 Millard Lane, Troutman, died Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at his home. Born in Iredell County on November 13, 1936, he was a son of the late Dewey Ernest Benfield and Irene Overcash Benfield. Watson graduated from Cool Spring High School following which he worked throughout the United States in heavy construction. He also served in the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged. He was a member of New Salem United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his loving companion, Lorraine Norris, a daughter, Tracie Kiser of Statesville and two sons Damian Norris of Washington, D.C. and Ryan Norris of Cary, N.C. Also surviving is a brother, Stephen Benfield of Statesville and grandchildren: Alisha Brewer Hagon of Winston-Salem, Savannah and Jacob Kiser of Statesville, nieces, Teresa Blackwell, Donna Davenport and Sharon Welborn all of Statesville and a great niece Kayla Welborn of Statesville.

Services celebrating Watson's life will be conducted at 3:30 P.M. Saturday at New Salem United Methodist Church with Rev. David Gay officiating. He will lie in state at the church for thirty minutes prior to the service and burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Damian and Ryan Norris, Mike Overcash, Gary Welborn, Henry Benfield and Wilson McDaniel. Full military rites will be presented at the graveside by members of the Iredell County Veterans Council Burial Detail. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home and at other times will be assembled at the residence of the deceased.

Condolences may be sent online to the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, Inc. 2347 Simonton Rd. Statesville, N.C. 28625.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.