Muncy, Benny W.

Dendron, VA

The Honorable BENNY WADE MUNCY, age 80, a resident and mayor of Dendron, died peacefully in the hospice unit at McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond on Thursday, April 3, 2008, after a 3-1/2-month battle with brain cancer. Born April 14, 1927, in Draper, NC, he was the son of the late Clarence and Lucille Rodgers Muncy. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Corinne Cook Muncy, who died one month ago on March 3, 2008.

He is survived by his son, Wade S. Muncy and his wife, Lisa; grandson, Stuart Hicks and his family; sister-in-law, Joyce Jasper; and nine cherished nephews and nieces and their families. He was preceded in death by his brother, Cleophus Muncy, and his sister, Lois M. Curl.

Mayor Muncy opened Ben’s Sandwich Shop in Dendron in 1972 and owned and operated Ben’s Garage there for 25 years. He was a deacon and treasurer at the Dendron United Church of Christ. He was proud to have served as a supply sergeant in the 1084th Labor Supervision Company of the U.S. Army in the European Theatre of World War II. An accomplished steel guitarist, he played country music regularly in the area. In his “spare” time, he was an avid fisherman. Active and dedicated to the civic affairs of Dendron, he had served as mayor for the past 28 years. Mayor Muncy maintained and repaired the Town of Dendron water system. In the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel in 2003, he kept vigil at the town pump house. Due to his skill and dedication, Dendron did not lose its water supply during the crisis. Mayor Muncy was instrumental in lobbying to extend the county sewer to Dendron and, when this occurred in 2007, he personally assisted many local residents with their hookups. In 2006 – 2007, Mayor Muncy designed and managed the construction of the Dendron Depot Museum and remained an active member of the Dendron Historical Society. Devoted to the town and its residents, Mayor Muncy worked tirelessly up until his hospitalization on December 20, 2007, for brain surgery. After recovering from the initial operation, he was able to continue to advise others with town affairs from his hospital bed.

The family will hold a celebration of the lives of Ben and Corinne Muncy at Beauty for Ashes Church in Newport News at a date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beauty for Ashes Ministry, 487 Denbigh Blvd, Newport News, VA 23608. Arrangements are being handled by Purviance Chapel, J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, Wakefield, VA. Condolences and special memories may be posted at our web site at www.jtmorriss.com.