Ben Whiteaker

Ben H. Whiteaker was born in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, on March 18, 1923.

He was a graduate of Middlesboro High School, Middlesboro, Kentucky, and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1948. During World War II, he served aboard the Navy Cruiser U.S.S. Springfield, CL-66, from September 1944 to May 1946. After 35 years of employment in the chemistry departments of ORGDP, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and PGDP, Paducah, Kentucky, he retired from Union Carbide Corporation, Nuclear Division, on April 1, 1984.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Martha Wilson Whiteaker, and his parents, Clyde M. Whiteaker and Georgie Rector Whiteaker.

He is survived by one brother, James H. Whiteaker of Atlanta, Ga. and one niece.

In the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson:

Sunset and evening star

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar

When I put out to sea.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell

When I embark.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today at Maplelawn Park Cemetery.

There will be no visitation. Roth Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Family Service Society, McCracken County Public Library or the charity of your choice.

You may leave condolences at www.rothfuneralchapel.com.