Benny Joe Whisenant

Benny Joe Whisenant, 78, of Lilly Haven, W.Va., went to be with the Lord on Monday, July 6, 2015, at Saint Francis Hospital in Charleston, W.Va., following a long illness. He was surrounded by his family and lifelong friends at the time of his passing.

Born on August 26, 1936, to Horace William Whisenant and Katherine Kidd-Whisenant of Clear Fork, WV, he spent his early life working on the family farm, hunting and fishing. After graduating from Oceana High School in 1955, he went to work for Eastern Associated Coal where he was a coal miner for 35 years. During his career, he formed lifelong friendships with James Walker and Charlie Painter. He retired in 1989 and for the next 25 years, he enjoyed being outdoors, working around the house, and painting stunning pictures, a craft for which he had a natural, God-given talent.

He is preceded in death by three brothers Homer Whisenant (Deceased), Harold Whisenant (Deceased), and Max Whisenant (Deceased) and three sisters Ruth Whisenant (Deceased), Jean Whisenant (Deceased), and Betty Whisenant.

A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by a loving and devoted wife and caretaker, India Gertrude Whisenant; a son, Michael David Whisenant and his wife Darva Geneva of Crab Orchard, W.Va.; and two grandchildren, Caleb Brewster Whisenant and Kelsey Dawn Whisenant, also of Crab Orchard, W.Va. He is also survived by four brothers Charles Whisenant and wife Fay of Sandy Lick, KY, Robert Whisenant and wife Betty of Colombia, SC, David Whisenant and wife Jean of Mechanicsville, VA, and Bryant Whisenant and wife Hannah of Oceana, W.Va.; three sisters Anna Fay Whisenant-Jarrett of Charleston, WV, Mary Whisenant-Colorado of Winston-Salem, NC, and Nancy Whisenant-Nichols and husband Lewis Nichols of Lilly Haven, WV; and a host of nieces and nephews. Along with family, he is additionally survived by cherished, lifelong friends Helen Cook and Teddy Toler, both of Lilly Haven, WV.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday July 10, 2015 in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, with Rev. James Walker officiating. Visitation will precede the funeral service from 11:00-1:00 PM. He will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV.