Benjamin Elwood Cross May 30, 1926 – May 06, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Benjamin (Ben) Elwood Cross, 92, of Walla Walla, passed away peacefully at the Walla Walla Veteran’s Home on Monday, May 6, 2019, after a short battle with cancer. Ben was born in Stanton, Kentucky, on May 30, 1926, to parents Benjamin P. Cross and Madalene (Wireman) Cross. Along with Ben, his parents raised two other brothers, Edwin and Paul, and two sisters, Velma and Lois.
Ben spent his first years in Kentucky as his father was a minister for the Methodist-Episcopal Church and his mother was a school teacher. After a few years, the family packed up and went West. They settled in Mansfield, Washington, where they would remain for several years.
The family soon relocated to the western part of Washington state where they would live in Buckley and Burien before eventually residing in Burlington, Washington in the Skagit Valley. After graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School, Ben was drafted into the Army in July of 1944. During his time in the Army, Ben served in the South Pacific in areas such as Papua New Guinea, Hollandia, and the Philippines.
He was honorably discharged in July of 1946, due to injury and illness. As a result, he came home on a hospital ship travelling 30 days over the Pacific Ocean back to the states. After returning to Burlington he met and married Dixie Bingham, his wife for over 70 years, in 1948.
Ben spent most of his career as a printer for several newspapers throughout the northwest in Sequim, Toppenish, Moses Lake, and finally moving to Walla Walla in 1960, working for the Walla Walla Union Bulletin. Upon leaving the printing trade, he became a Realtor and sold homes before retiring. Ben spent many years travelling the world with his wife and family members to such places as Russia, England, Japan, Africa, New Zealand, Israel, Italy, and may more.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters. Left to honor and remember Ben are his wife, Dixie; and three children: Steve (Susie) of Walla Walla, Vicki (Matt) of Lake Stevens, and Glenn Cross of Burbank, Washington. Ben is also survived by seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday July 13, 2019 at Amazing Grace Nazarene Church in Walla Walla with Pastor Jim Fiedler officiating. The family is requesting that donations be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Center for Sharing in Pasco, Washington, through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.
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