Obituary: Ben Elden Lewis

Ben Elden Lewis 1913 ~ 2005 PROVO, UT - Ben Elden Lewis, age 91, passed peacefully away at home October 20,2005. Born November 16, 1913 in Mesa, Arizona to George William Lewis and Olena Dorthea Kempe Lewis. Married Barbara Rae Wootton in the Salt Lake Temple October 4, 1944, and was married for 60 years. "He was one who loved the Lord, his wife, Barbara, all of the members of his family, his friends and associates, all his fellow men, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was grateful for the many wonderful challenges and opportunities that came to him during the course of his life which was filled with rich and rewarding experiences. His wish was to thank the countless numbers of people who have done so much to bless his life. His was a life of happiness." Ben spent his boyhood days in Salt Lake City and served as student body president at BYU in 1940 and obtained a Masters Degree in 1942 at the U of Denver. He worked for the Hot Shoppes, Inc. which later became the Marriott Corporation, as budget director for seven years. He then returned to BYU in 1952 where he served in administration for 27 years, ultimately as executive vice president. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business degree in 1970 and a Presidential Citation in 2001 from the University. Ben served in the Northern States Mission and twice as a stake missionary in Washington D.C. He was president of the Sharon East Stake for 16 years, served on the Sunday School General Board, and was Regional Representative to the Twelve. Ben and Barbara presided over the England London Mission from 1979 to 1982. Ben chaired the site selection committee for the Provo Temple and the Fund Raising Committee for both the Provo and Jordan River Temples. He was chairman of the BYU Major Gifts Campaign beginning in 1982 and was involved in funding for the Marriott Center and LaVeIl Edwards stadium. He was on the Provo City Planning Commission for seven years, a member of Provo Kiwanis for 23 years and instrumental in the growth of Utah Valley Hospital. An avid supporter of scouting his full life he received the Silver Beaver and was president of the Utah National Parks Council. This well-known Utah County man sporting his distinctive bow ties has been a major influence on and off the BYU campus for the past 50 years. He swam and played racquetball every morning at BYU, worked in the temple, wrote memoirs and composed poems for greetings and Christmas cards. Ben is survived by his wife, Barbara; five children, Linda J. Lewis, Stephen Lewis, James Lewis, Mary Anne Turner (Judd), Salt Lake City, Utah, John Lewis (LaCinda) Gilbert, Arizona. Also survived by niece, Louise Holdaway (Boyd), Provo, Utah; and nephews C. Lewis Wilson (Grace), Salt Lake City, and Greg Wilson (Kathy), Sandy, Utah, who Ben and Barbara raised as their own children. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. "My sunset has come. It's time to say Goodbye. God bless you. I love you all, and look forward to seeing you on the other side." Funeral services will be held Wed-nesday Oct. 26, 2005 at 11 a.m. in the Sharon East Stake Center, 2400 North 1060 East, Provo, Utah. Friends may call Tuesday evening October 25 from 5-8 p.m. at the Berg Mortuary, 185 East Center Street, Provo Utah; and also from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Contributions may be made to the LDS Church Perpetual Education fund. Internment at the East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, Provo, Utah.