Benjamin Lewis Symonds, 67, Hulett, WY, died Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at Crook County Medical Hospital, Sundance from a brave battle with leukemia.
Ben was born September 9, 1948 at Sturgis, SD to Marvin "Bud" and Ilene (Knutson) Symonds. He attended school at Newell, SD. Ben worked for many ranchers and farmers and worked on construction of the water tower east of Newell. In the 70's, he went to Rock Springs, WY where he bought two trucks and hauled mud for the oil fields. In the 80's, when the oil fields slowed down, Ben returned to work on ranches in South Dakota. In 1984, Ben went to work at Johnson Sawmill, Hulett, WY until he was laid off in 1985. In 1986, he worked for ten months as police officer of Hulett.
In 1985, Ben met and married Susan (Suzie) Cheshier. To this union was born Walter Marvin, Kyle Lewis and Shelly Ilene. He also raised Suzie's son, Troy James, as his own.
Ben worked at Hulett Post & Pole and Bearlodge Sawmill from 1987 thru 1994, when he was electrocuted and was off work for four years. He then returned to work at Bearlodge until 2007 when he went to work at Devils Tower Forrest Products and remained there until May of 2015 when he was diagnosed with leukemia and had to stop working.
Ben is survived by his wife, Suzie; son, Troy (girlfriend Jill Sherrard), Sundance; son Walter (girlfriend Bobbie Kidder); son Kyle and daughter, Shelly (Roger) Rathbun all of Hulett; grandchildren Hailee Rain, Tegan James, Dixy Rae and Rowdy Lee Benjamin; mother, Ilene Symonds, Newell, SD; two sisters, Nancy Tennis, Newell, SD and Dawn Symonds, Belle Fourche, SD; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Marvin, uncle, Marvin Knutson and Pete Tokely, Jr.
Visitation will be from 7:00-9:00 PM Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel, Spearfish, SD. Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, Thursday, May 12, 2016 at the Greater Hulett Community Center, Hulett, WY followed by burial at Pine Slope Cemetery, Belle Fourche, SD. A memorial has been established.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Services, Spearfish, SD. Online condolences may be written to www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.