1947
Captain Clifton
2019
Captain Clifton Wallace Benson, Jr.
June 18, 1947 — May 4, 2019
Captain Clifton Wallace Benson, Jr. (71), of Folly Beach, SC went to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 4, 2019.
He was born in Charleston, SC on June 18, 1947, and was the son of the late Clifton W. Benson Sr. and Thelma Louise Cox Benson.
He attended The Citadel and studied chemical engineering and criminal justice. He was an instructor for Trident Tech for 21 years. Wallace was instrumental in securing Folly Beach the designation of City of Folly Beach and he faithfully served his community, which he loved, by being Folly Beach’s Director of Public Safety (Chief of Police and Fire) for 5 years and being on FB city council for 20 years. He was also a member of the FB Civic Club, Exchange Club, and headed the FB Rescue Squad. In 1975, he and two other “Folly Sons”, Rick Stringer and Tommy Rhodes, formed the Folly Beach Sharkers. Not only did they shark fish, but also participated in a tag and release program in order to secure information on the migration, habits and other info on sharks. Wallace also founded the City of Folly Beach Hall of Fame which recognizes past and present citizens of Folly that have gone above and beyond to contribute and help the City.
He is survived by his children: daughter Laura Ann Brogan (Scott) of Hollywood, daughter Melissa Goudelock (Adam) of Gaffney, son Clifton W. (Trey) Benson III (Kristin) of Charleston, his former wife Jessica Cumbee, brothers Richard L. Benson (Dorothy) and John Michael Benson, Sr. (Denna), and sister Cheryl Ann Benson Schoettner (Thomas). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Britney Goudelock, Kayla Mosley, Selena Benson (Jimmy), Scarlett Goudelock, Kelsi Morrow, Jacob Benson, Tyler Connolly, Andi Young, Clifton W. (TJ) Benson IV and one great-grandchild, Melody Lynch. In addition, he will be greatly missed by his loving dog Sam who was his constant companion for the past 12 yrs. A special thank you goes out to his caretakers, Joann Moore and Scott Wicks.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 19 at 12:30 pm on the Folly Beach pier, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Crab Shack from 1:00 pm -3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to MAD Rescue Transport, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/my/profile or mail checks to 7256 Highway 162, Hollywood, SC 29449, or the Halloween Carnival (Folly Beach Civic Club).
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.
Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, 843-722-8371.
He was born in Charleston, SC on June 18, 1947, and was the son of the late Clifton W. Benson Sr. and Thelma Louise Cox Benson.
He attended The Citadel and studied chemical engineering and criminal justice. He was an instructor for Trident Tech for 21 years. Wallace was instrumental in securing Folly Beach the designation of City of Folly Beach and he faithfully served his community, which he loved, by being Folly Beach’s Director of Public Safety (Chief of Police and Fire) for 5 years and being on FB city council for 20 years. He was also a member of the FB Civic Club, Exchange Club, and headed the FB Rescue Squad. In 1975, he and two other “Folly Sons”, Rick Stringer and Tommy Rhodes, formed the Folly Beach Sharkers. Not only did they shark fish, but also participated in a tag and release program in order to secure information on the migration, habits and other info on sharks. Wallace also founded the City of Folly Beach Hall of Fame which recognizes past and present citizens of Folly that have gone above and beyond to contribute and help the City.
He is survived by his children: daughter Laura Ann Brogan (Scott) of Hollywood, daughter Melissa Goudelock (Adam) of Gaffney, son Clifton W. (Trey) Benson III (Kristin) of Charleston, his former wife Jessica Cumbee, brothers Richard L. Benson (Dorothy) and John Michael Benson, Sr. (Denna), and sister Cheryl Ann Benson Schoettner (Thomas). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Britney Goudelock, Kayla Mosley, Selena Benson (Jimmy), Scarlett Goudelock, Kelsi Morrow, Jacob Benson, Tyler Connolly, Andi Young, Clifton W. (TJ) Benson IV and one great-grandchild, Melody Lynch. In addition, he will be greatly missed by his loving dog Sam who was his constant companion for the past 12 yrs. A special thank you goes out to his caretakers, Joann Moore and Scott Wicks.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 19 at 12:30 pm on the Folly Beach pier, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Crab Shack from 1:00 pm -3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to MAD Rescue Transport, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/my/profile or mail checks to 7256 Highway 162, Hollywood, SC 29449, or the Halloween Carnival (Folly Beach Civic Club).
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.
Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, 843-722-8371.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Captain Clifton Wallace Benson, Jr., please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
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Memorial Service
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Starts at 12:30 pm
Folly Beach Pier
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