Mr. William Ben Palmer Sr. age 87, of Polkville, NC passed away on Monday, March 2, 2015.

Mr. Palmer served our country in the Merchant Marines and the Army. He retired from Norfolk and Southern Railroad. He was preceded in death by his wife Bryte Virginia Smart Palmer; his parents John Palmer Sr. and Nettie Hicks Pendleton Palmer; two sisters, Lillian Hope and Frances Stewart; and two brothers, John Palmer Jr. and James Robert Palmer.

Mr. Palmer is survived by his son William Ben Palmer Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; daughter Crystal Palmer-Uno and husband Gordon; granddaughter Kelly Abdulnour of Jacksonville, FL; grandson, Ben Abdulnour and wife Shebani of Ft. Myers, FL; sister Kate Floyd and brothers, Joe Palmer and wife Grace, Am(Chuck) Palmer and wife Gladys; and a sister-in-law Polly Palmer all of Shelby.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00pm Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at the chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Cindy Nanney and Rev. Jim Hope officiating with Military Honors. Burial will follow at Oak Grove United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends one hour before the service from 1:00pm - 2:00pm at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory.

In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to: Oak Grove United Methodist Church c/o 1432 West Stagecoach Trail Lawndale, NC 28090.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Palmer.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com