METROPOLIS, Ill. — Ben Edward Sawyer, 88, of Metropolis, Ill., formerly of Gleason, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah. He was surrounded by his wife and children.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home. Rev. Alan Milligan will officiate. Military detail will follow the service. Burial will follow at the New Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery in Gleason, Tenn.

Mr. Sawyer was born in Gleason, Tenn., on September 26, 1924. He was a decorated soldier of WWII in which he served the United States Military for 3 years.

Ben is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Myrtle Dellinger, formerly of Gleason. The couple was married for nearly 65 years (wed on January 23, 1948).

Also surviving are one brother, Bobby Sawyer of Houston, Texas; one sister, Sue Quinn of Fruitland, Tenn.; two children, Cynthia Sawyer Howard of Kirksey, Ky., and Don E. Sawyer and wife, Marna of Metropolis; five grandchildren, Dr. Robert Sawyer Howard and wife, Mallory, of Kirksey, Ky., Mary Kay Howard Bowden and husband, Brandt, of Houston, Texas, Kimberly Howard Willson and husband, Drew of Memphis, Tenn., Marlie Sawyer Motta and husband, David of Celebration, Fla., and Vance Edward Sawyer of Bloomington, Ill.; four great-grandchildren, Russell and Annabelle Bowden and Mary Drew and Sanders Willson.

Friends may call to the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home in Metropolis from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 11, 2013.

Memorial contributions may take the form of donations to the Massac County High School Department, 2841 Old Marion Rd., Metropolis, IL 62960; Powers United Methodist Church, 3210 Illinois 145 Rd., Metropolis, IL 62960; New Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery, P.O. Box 172, Gleason, TN 38229.

Pallbearers — David Motta, Drew Willson, Brandt Bowden, Vance Sawyer, Robert Howard, Mike Quinn, Larry Quinn

Honorary Pallbearers — Richard Margherio, Mike “Possum” Stephens, Charles “Moose” Griffey, Dale Mittendorf, Albert Wainscott, Robbie Rudolph, Frank Pritchett, Ben Camp