White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Benny E. Woolley, 83 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died peacefully on May 8, 2021, at Thousen Cottage of the Western Home in Cedar Falls from complications of Alzheimer’s.  He was born on the family farm near Leon on March 19, 1938, the son of Cecil and Geraldine (Walker) Woolley.  He graduated from the Leon High School with the Class of 1957.  Ben attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, for two years and finished his degree in Industrial Arts and a minor in music at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO.  He taught music in Missouri before coming to Independence to teach drafting.  After he retired from teaching, he worked for Dave’s Cabinet Shop for several years.  Ben married Marcia Stewart in 1969.  The met on a blind date arranged by Harold (a former student) and Marilyn Freeman.  They were married over 51 years.

Ben enjoyed traveling, playing the trumpet, wood working, and their two Scotties.  Some of their best trips were with the Iowa Airstreamers, and their rallies and caravans.  He would play his trumpet in the Airstream Band at International Rallies.  Ben bravely lived with Alzheimer’s for several years.  The couple continued going to Texas for the winters until falls and complications from the disease sent them back to Iowa.

Ben is survived by his wife, Marcia, a sister, Joyce (Lynn) Blevines of Marshalltown, Iowa, two nieces, and a nephew.

Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Independence. Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 18th at White Funeral Home, Independence. Masks and social distancing will be expected.

White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or Unity Point Hospice.