Benson Carwile McWhite "Mac", 90, loving husband of Martha Ashley McWhite for 43 years, passed away January 31, 2015 at McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville. He was born on June 2, 1924 in Abbeville County to John Reed and Mary Harley Carwile McWhite.
A graduate of Abbeville High School, Benson entered Clemson College (University) in 1940. His entire Clemson class, "the class of '44," was called to active duty for World War II in early June, 1944, on completion of its junior year. He was a member of the newly formed Clemson Army Signal Corps ROTC.
After being called to active duty, Benson was assigned to and served with the 805th Signal Service Company, an ultra-secret encoded radio-telephone facility that linked the War Department in Washington, DC with both the European and Pacific Theater Headquarters. They created SIGSALY, America's unbreakable secret code for secret telephony that was nicknamed "The Green Hornet" because of the sound the machine emitted. Returning to Clemson after World War II, he earned an Electrical Engineering degree in 1947.
Benson accepted a position in the textile industry where he worked for over forty years with Amerotron Corp., Burlington Industries and Milliken and Company in various management positions. For the last fifteen years of his textile career, he served as an international trade negotiator, working with representatives of the U.S. Trade Representative, Commerce Department, Labor Department, State Department and Treasury.
Benson was a devoted member of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church where he served in many positions including teacher of the Huckaby Class for over thirty years, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Administrative Council and Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relative Committee.
He was a member of American Legion Post #3, A Boy Scout Advisor, member of the Inspiration Group and member of the Keowee Key Club.
In addition to his wife, Benson is survived by his children, Mary McWhite Carter of Clarksville, VA, John Evans McWhite (Daphne) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, William Loftis McWhite of Latta, SC, Nancy McWhite Tackett (Tim) of South Hill, VA, John Lewis McWhite (Angela) of Spartanburg, SC, Robert Neil McWhite (Sally) of Greer, SC and Nancy McWhite Concannon (Douglas) of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He was a beloved grandfather to thirteen grandchildren, Jay Carter, Gregory Silverman, Jessica, Amanda, Mari, Matthew, Caroline, Keith and Michael Todd, Collin McWhite, and Clay, John Michael and Ashley Concannon; and one great-granddaughter, Paige Carter.
Benson was predeceased by his son, Thomas Benson McWhite in December 2014.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, February 5, 2015 in the sanctuary of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church, 8001 White Horse Road, Greenville, Sc 29611. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Wednesday at The Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, Sc 29607.
The family deeply appreciates all the love and care given to Benson by Mr. Milton Mullinax, Mr. Jason Robinson, the staff of NHC of Greenville, and the staff of McCall Hospice House.
Flowers are appreciated or Memorials may be made to Berea Friendship United Methodist Church, 8001 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611 or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.
Published in The Greenville News on Feb. 3, 2015
A graduate of Abbeville High School, Benson entered Clemson College (University) in 1940. His entire Clemson class, "the class of '44," was called to active duty for World War II in early June, 1944, on completion of its junior year. He was a member of the newly formed Clemson Army Signal Corps ROTC.
After being called to active duty, Benson was assigned to and served with the 805th Signal Service Company, an ultra-secret encoded radio-telephone facility that linked the War Department in Washington, DC with both the European and Pacific Theater Headquarters. They created SIGSALY, America's unbreakable secret code for secret telephony that was nicknamed "The Green Hornet" because of the sound the machine emitted. Returning to Clemson after World War II, he earned an Electrical Engineering degree in 1947.
Benson accepted a position in the textile industry where he worked for over forty years with Amerotron Corp., Burlington Industries and Milliken and Company in various management positions. For the last fifteen years of his textile career, he served as an international trade negotiator, working with representatives of the U.S. Trade Representative, Commerce Department, Labor Department, State Department and Treasury.
Benson was a devoted member of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church where he served in many positions including teacher of the Huckaby Class for over thirty years, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Administrative Council and Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relative Committee.
He was a member of American Legion Post #3, A Boy Scout Advisor, member of the Inspiration Group and member of the Keowee Key Club.
In addition to his wife, Benson is survived by his children, Mary McWhite Carter of Clarksville, VA, John Evans McWhite (Daphne) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, William Loftis McWhite of Latta, SC, Nancy McWhite Tackett (Tim) of South Hill, VA, John Lewis McWhite (Angela) of Spartanburg, SC, Robert Neil McWhite (Sally) of Greer, SC and Nancy McWhite Concannon (Douglas) of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He was a beloved grandfather to thirteen grandchildren, Jay Carter, Gregory Silverman, Jessica, Amanda, Mari, Matthew, Caroline, Keith and Michael Todd, Collin McWhite, and Clay, John Michael and Ashley Concannon; and one great-granddaughter, Paige Carter.
Benson was predeceased by his son, Thomas Benson McWhite in December 2014.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, February 5, 2015 in the sanctuary of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church, 8001 White Horse Road, Greenville, Sc 29611. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Wednesday at The Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, Sc 29607.
The family deeply appreciates all the love and care given to Benson by Mr. Milton Mullinax, Mr. Jason Robinson, the staff of NHC of Greenville, and the staff of McCall Hospice House.
Flowers are appreciated or Memorials may be made to Berea Friendship United Methodist Church, 8001 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611 or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.
Published in The Greenville News on Feb. 3, 2015
Benson Carwile McWhite "Mac", 90, loving husband of Martha Ashley McWhite for 43 years, passed away January 31, 2015 at McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville. He was born on June 2, 1924 in Abbeville County to John Reed and Mary Harley Carwile McWhite.
A graduate of Abbeville High School, Benson entered Clemson College (University) in 1940. His entire Clemson class, "the class of '44," was called to active duty for World War II in early June, 1944, on completion of its junior year. He was a member of the newly formed Clemson Army Signal Corps ROTC.
After being called to active duty, Benson was assigned to and served with the 805th Signal Service Company, an ultra-secret encoded radio-telephone facility that linked the War Department in Washington, DC with both the European and Pacific Theater Headquarters. They created SIGSALY, America's unbreakable secret code for secret telephony that was nicknamed "The Green Hornet" because of the sound the machine emitted. Returning to Clemson after World War II, he earned an Electrical Engineering degree in 1947.
Benson accepted a position in the textile industry where he worked for over forty years with Amerotron Corp., Burlington Industries and Milliken and Company in various management positions. For the last fifteen years of his textile career, he served as an international trade negotiator, working with representatives of the U.S. Trade Representative, Commerce Department, Labor Department, State Department and Treasury.
Benson was a devoted member of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church where he served in many positions including teacher of the Huckaby Class for over thirty years, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Administrative Council and Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relative Committee.
He was a member of American Legion Post #3, A Boy Scout Advisor, member of the Inspiration Group and member of the Keowee Key Club.
In addition to his wife, Benson is survived by his children, Mary McWhite Carter of Clarksville, VA, John Evans McWhite (Daphne) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, William Loftis McWhite of Latta, SC, Nancy McWhite Tackett (Tim) of South Hill, VA, John Lewis McWhite (Angela) of Spartanburg, SC, Robert Neil McWhite (Sally) of Greer, SC and Nancy McWhite Concannon (Douglas) of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He was a beloved grandfather to thirteen grandchildren, Jay Carter, Gregory Silverman, Jessica, Amanda, Mari, Matthew, Caroline, Keith and Michael Todd, Collin McWhite, and Clay, John Michael and Ashley Concannon; and one great-granddaughter, Paige Carter.
Benson was predeceased by his son, Thomas Benson McWhite in December 2014.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, February 5, 2015 in the sanctuary of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church, 8001 White Horse Road, Greenville, Sc 29611. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Wednesday at The Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, Sc 29607.
The family deeply appreciates all the love and care given to Benson by Mr. Milton Mullinax, Mr. Jason Robinson, the staff of NHC of Greenville, and the staff of McCall Hospice House.
Flowers are appreciated or Memorials may be made to Berea Friendship United Methodist Church, 8001 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611 or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.
Published in The Greenville News on Feb. 3, 2015
A graduate of Abbeville High School, Benson entered Clemson College (University) in 1940. His entire Clemson class, "the class of '44," was called to active duty for World War II in early June, 1944, on completion of its junior year. He was a member of the newly formed Clemson Army Signal Corps ROTC.
After being called to active duty, Benson was assigned to and served with the 805th Signal Service Company, an ultra-secret encoded radio-telephone facility that linked the War Department in Washington, DC with both the European and Pacific Theater Headquarters. They created SIGSALY, America's unbreakable secret code for secret telephony that was nicknamed "The Green Hornet" because of the sound the machine emitted. Returning to Clemson after World War II, he earned an Electrical Engineering degree in 1947.
Benson accepted a position in the textile industry where he worked for over forty years with Amerotron Corp., Burlington Industries and Milliken and Company in various management positions. For the last fifteen years of his textile career, he served as an international trade negotiator, working with representatives of the U.S. Trade Representative, Commerce Department, Labor Department, State Department and Treasury.
Benson was a devoted member of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church where he served in many positions including teacher of the Huckaby Class for over thirty years, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Administrative Council and Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relative Committee.
He was a member of American Legion Post #3, A Boy Scout Advisor, member of the Inspiration Group and member of the Keowee Key Club.
In addition to his wife, Benson is survived by his children, Mary McWhite Carter of Clarksville, VA, John Evans McWhite (Daphne) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, William Loftis McWhite of Latta, SC, Nancy McWhite Tackett (Tim) of South Hill, VA, John Lewis McWhite (Angela) of Spartanburg, SC, Robert Neil McWhite (Sally) of Greer, SC and Nancy McWhite Concannon (Douglas) of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He was a beloved grandfather to thirteen grandchildren, Jay Carter, Gregory Silverman, Jessica, Amanda, Mari, Matthew, Caroline, Keith and Michael Todd, Collin McWhite, and Clay, John Michael and Ashley Concannon; and one great-granddaughter, Paige Carter.
Benson was predeceased by his son, Thomas Benson McWhite in December 2014.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, February 5, 2015 in the sanctuary of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church, 8001 White Horse Road, Greenville, Sc 29611. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Wednesday at The Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, Sc 29607.
The family deeply appreciates all the love and care given to Benson by Mr. Milton Mullinax, Mr. Jason Robinson, the staff of NHC of Greenville, and the staff of McCall Hospice House.
Flowers are appreciated or Memorials may be made to Berea Friendship United Methodist Church, 8001 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611 or to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.
Published in The Greenville News on Feb. 3, 2015
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