Ernest Clark "E.C." "Bubba" Benton Jr.

ERNEST CLARK "E.C." "BUBBA" BENTON JR., of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. He was born on Aug. 30, 1924 in Stuttgart, Ark. to Ernest Clark Benton Sr. and Irene McDaniel Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Corrie Lee Benton; his brother, Robert Hugh Benton; his sister, Rosamond Irene Benton Davenport; and the mother of his children, Martha "Belle" Benton. He is survived by his son, Clark G. Benton and his wife, Rhonda, grandson; Jason Bradley Benton and his wife Somer of Kansas City, Kan.; granddaughters, Kelsey Michelle Benton and Morgan Celeste Benton; grandsons, Daniel Wills Crabb and David Langrell Crabb all of Little Rock, and nieces, nephews, and many friends. He graduated from Fordyce High School in 1942 and attended Ouachita Baptist University for his freshman year of college. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a Sergeant in the 22nd Bomber Group, 408 Bomb Squadron "Red Raiders" in the Pacific Theater, World War II. Following his Honorable Discharge from his military service, he returned to college at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and from where he graduated in 1948. He spent his career in the insurance industry. A Democrat, he also served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1976 to 1983. He was a member and officer of many civic and charitable organizations in central Arkansas during his lifetime, including Kiwanis Club. Visitation will be 12 noon on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 with a memorial service at 1 p.m. at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, 6400 Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 663-6383. Interment with military recognition will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Fordyce, Ark. In lieu of flowers or food and in the spirit of giving, donations may be made to the Arkansas Heart Association or to a charity of your choosing.