Obituary of Col. Benjamin John Basil

Col. Benjamin John Basil (US Army ret.) 84 of Columbia, entered into rest, Sunday, July 5, 2015 at Palmetto Health Baptist. Born March 11, 1931, the youngest of four boys, in Island Pond, VT, he was a son of the late Jack John, Sr., and Phoebe (Massaud) Basil. He graduated from Norwich University from where he launched a career in the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam, where he was decorated with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. After serving his beloved country for 27 years, and almost as many relocations he retired at Fort Jackson, at the rank of Colonel of the U.S. Army. He was known affectionately as Pah Pah to his 11 grandchildren and they were the joy of his life. He challenged and adored them. His family was his number one priority. Following his retirement from the military, Ben was active in the cemetery business and was VP of Operations at Greenlawn Memorial Park and assisted with its transition. He was also a member of many of the cemetery professional organizations both locally and nationally. He remained close with his Army buddies and other dear friends. He was a devout Catholic and he served with the Knights of Columbus for many years. Ben was known for his good sense of humor and he loved to tell a joke....even if it meant repeating one. His love of life was infectious. Ben enjoyed "winning" at playing cards and board games, especially if it was against his grandchildren, but never missed the opportunity to include his friends and family. While he enjoyed playing golf with his buddies, his handicap would indicate that it was more for the comradery than for the score. He also thoroughly enjoyed reading westerns. Ben is survived by his beloved wife Ruth with whom he shared his life for more than 58 years and about whom he would always say "was my strength". Ben and Ruth are the parents of five adoring children and their spouses, Terri and Kevin Stewart, Ben Jr. and Lisa Basil, Melanie Brown, Robert and Alison Basil and Janet and Paul Garrison. He is also survived by brothers, Jack, Joseph and Robert Basil; and grandchildren, Kristen, Lindsay, Jonathan, Garrett, Julia, Claire, Cooper, Frank, Ben, Wren and Van. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to either the Wounded Warrior Project by visiting, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or to St. John Neumann Catholic School, 721 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223, on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 10:00 A.M., with Father Sandy McDonald officiating. Interment will follow with full military honors in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M., on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. A rosary service will be held beginning at 6:00 P.M., prior to the visitation.