ILION – Mr. Benjamin H. “Ben” Lawrence, age 88, a longtime Ilion resident, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 5, 2016, at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center. Born on July 22, 1928, Benjamin was the son of the late Henry and Frances (Rice) Lawrence. He was raised and educated locally, graduating from Ilion High School with the Class of 1947. Ben then went on to proudly serve his country with the United States Army during the Korean War Era. On December 1, 1951, he was joined in marriage to the former Joanne M. Powers, and the couple recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. A hard worker with old fashioned values, Ben’s primary focus was on supporting his wife and children. He was employed for a time with Chicago Pneumatic, and later in life, with Doyle Security Systems as a Security Guard; most, however, would remember him as an auto body and fender specialist with Ben’s Body Shop in Utica. Ben’s life was centered around his family, friends, community and faith in God. He was a past member of the Frankfort Stamp Club and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ilion as a former deacon and Past President of the Men’s Club. Ben made a firm commitment in receiving Jesus Christ by faith and knew that he was eternally saved. He leaves behind his beloved family, including his wife, Joanne; his daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and William Copp of Liverpool, Dianna “DeeDee” and Richard Maiolo of Ridgefield, CT, and Dawn and Robert Pilkington of Danbury, CT; his sons and daughters-in-law, David and Pam (Weller) Lawrence of Ilion and Dale and Lori (Brosemer) Lawrence of Davenport, Florida; his grandchildren, Michael LaTuga, Megan LaTuga, Jessica Copp, Billy Copp, Giovanna Maiolo, Samantha Maiolo, Sophia Maiolo, Matthew and Calin Lawrence, Timothy and Ashley Lawrence, Daniel and Zoey Lawrence, Melissa and Christopher Fehringer and Sarah Lawrence; nine great-grandchildren; his brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Donald and Kathy Lawrence; his sister-in-law, Iris Lawrence; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, William Lawrence. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Ben’s visitation, which will be held from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, from the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location at 102 West Street, Ilion, NY 13357. Ben’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Thursday morning, December 8, 2016, at 11:00 AM at the funeral home, with Rev. John Partise, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Ilion, officiating. Procession will follow to Armory Hill Cemetery, where Ben will be laid to rest with full military honors. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church, 8 Second Street, Ilion, NY 13357. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank the many caregivers at Valley Health Services in Herkimer for their kindness and compassion, as well as the staff of the ER and ICU at St. Luke’s Hospital for their support and care during Ben’s final days. The Lawrence family has entrusted all service arrangements to Funeral Directors, Don Applegate and Martin Ciaccia. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Ben, or to add to his online memorial, may visit www.applegateandday.com.