Roll Call Tribute

Ben Walter Bolton 

July 30, 1938 - June 2023 

Greenville native, Ben Bolton, has passed away after a brief stay at the Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler Texas. Ben died peacefully surrounded by his family. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, James Winford Bolton and Margret (Browning) Bolton who were lifelong residents of Greenville, Texas. As a youth Ben attended Greenville high school where he would meet his sweetheart and future wife Winnie Ann (Arant) Bolton. Upon graduation from Greenville High, Ben attended Texas A&M University where he would go on to receive a degree in Physics.

Ben and Ann were soon wed and Ben elected to enlist in the United States Air Force where he specialized in maintaining radar and navigational systems. Soon after his enlistment, Ben applied for officer candidate school and was accepted to OCS upon the personal recommendation of former speaker of the house Senator Sam Rayburn. Ben was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force on 22 December 1961. Three children and 27 years later Ben retired from the Air Force as a full Colonel.

Ben and family traveled extensively throughout the country during most of his 27 years in the service, moving from new assignment to new assignment and enjoying many adventures and exciting new places along the way.

Notable among Colonel Bolton's many Air Force awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit medal, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Qualification badges include the Master Level Air Weapons Controller Badge and the Master Level Space & Missile Badge.

In addition to his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Texas A&M, Ben was also awarded a Master of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Florida State University and a Master of Science Degree in Technology Management from Pepperdine University in California.

Upon leaving the Air Force, Ben embarked on his second career working as an engineering manager for the Boeing Company in Seal Beach California for over 20 years. Career highlights at Boeing included: Member of the technical Staff: (ECM upgrades to the Rockwell B-1 "Lancer" bomber); Director of Special Projects: (Classified Space programs); Operational Security Specialist (Classified Space programs).

After retiring from Boeing, Ben and his wife Ann decided to finally return back to Texas where they enjoyed retired life at their home in the city of Flint, TX for the past fourteen years. Always wanting to be of service to the community, Ben spent much of his time in retirement as a volunteer at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, TX.

Ben was an exceptionally brilliant scientist and he dedicated his life to the defense and security of our nation. Ben was also one of the kindest people you have ever met. He was slow to anger, generous to a fault and rarely had an unkind word to say about anyone. He had a great sense of humor and was a loving husband and father to his children and grandchildren. We will always be enormously proud of Ben for his many accomplishments, his devotion to his country, his devotion to his family and to God. We miss him terribly each and every day.

Ben is survived by his wife of 63 years: Ann (Arant) Bolton of Alpharetta, GA, His Daughter: Patricia Bolton of Alpharetta, GA, His son: Bruce Bolton and wife Mary-Lisa of Long Beach CA, His son: Alan Bolton and wife Hui of Graham Washington, His granddaughter: Athena and husband Tom Santay of Aurora, CO, his grandson: Edward Bolton, US Army, Fort Gordon, GA, and Ben's Brother: David Bolton and wife Donna of Keller, TX and many numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.