C.J. Benway was born December 27, 1925 at Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Cecil J. Benway Sr. and Vivian Benway Custer and passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at the age of 90. C.J. moved to the Watonga community at the age of 12 in 1938, attending Watonga Schools. In December of 1943 during Christmas break of his senior year of High School, C.J. joined the United States Marine Corp at the age of 17. He fought in Guam and Iwo Jima, and was discharged in 1946. C.J. returned to Watonga and married Margaret Compton at Waldron, Kansas on March 31, 1946. To this union two children were born; Mike and Kathy. C.J. started farming in Watonga raising cattle, as well as helping his mother Vivian run the City Café. In 1956 he started his freshman year at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, majoring in chemistry, math and biology. C.J. commuted for three years, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1959. He taught at the Oklahoma College for Women at Chickasha, Oklahoma and in 1960 was hired at the Watonga State Bank by L.J. Barrett. In 1980 C.J. partnered with Basil Taylor purchasing the First State Bank of Watonga, retiring in 1995. After his retirement C.J. and Margaret enjoyed travelling in the R.V. and taking golf trips with his friends, but most of all he enjoyed his many travels attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, as well as getting the chance to attend his great grandchildren’s activities. C.J. is preceded in death by: His parents; Cecil and Vivian; step-father, Art Custer; wife Margaret; one daughter, Kathy Scoville; and one step-brother, Terry Custer. He is survived by: One son, Mike Benway and wife Teresa of Enid, Oklahoma. One son-in-law, Terry Scoville of Edmond, Oklahoma. Six grandchildren: Jay Benway of Altus, Oklahoma, Todd Benway and wife Heidi of Derby, Kansas, Clint Benway of Seagoville, Texas, Mika Stansberry and husband Brian of Midlothian, Texas, Koby Scoville and wife Mendy of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Kevin Scoville and wife Natalie of Edmond, Oklahoma. 14 great grandchildren: Chandler Benway, Tatum Benway, Jayden Benway, Dax Benway, Jordan Benway, Spencer Benway, Tucker Benway, Emma Stansberry, Lillie Stansberry, Claire Stansberry, Kyler Scoville, Kellen Scoville, Ella Scoville and Ethan Scoville In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Watonga. Funeral services for C.J. were held Monday, February 29, 2016, at the First Christian Church in Watonga, with burial following at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Watonga, with Rev. Doyle Warren officiating. Arrangements by Wilkinson Mortuary of Watonga.
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