Benjamen Douglas Utley, Sr.

Evans, GA – Mr. Benjamen D. Utley, Sr., entered into rest on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at Georgia Health Sciences University.

A viewing will be held Friday, November 4th at Platt’s Belair Road Chapel from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Platt’s Belair Road Chapel. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC at a later date.

From the time he entered the service in 1958, until his retirement in 1986, SGM Utley devoted his life to the “care and feeding” of soldiers and their families. His life’s passion was the health and welfare of both the soldiers he served and that of his family.

As a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, he earned the Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, two with “V” device for Valor, two Meritorious Service Medals and numerous other awards for both combat and peace time service.

SGM Utley’s passion for the army and its core values reached deep into his professional and personal life. The consummate professional and compassionate non-commissioned officer, he routinely offered his time and even his home to soldiers in need and spent countless hours in support of local children, coordinating “gifts from Santa” through outreach programs sponsored by his favorite watering hole, American Legion Post 192, in Evans.

His hardnosed, yet compassionate and soft hearted persona was known to all, yet publically revealed to none. He kept a straight face and a tough exterior, but those who knew him, knew better.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Utley, two sons Benjamen Utley, Jr. (Vicki) and Col. James Utley, a daughter, Tina Burgee (Tom), a brother, David Utley, three sisters, Dora Coombs, Leora Yates and Edith Curry, and his grandchildren, Lisa Burgee, Kevin Burgee, Ben Utley III, Jack Utley, Reagan Utley and John Utley.

If so desired, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2607 Commons Blvd, Augusta, Georgia, 30909.