Benny Rufus Shafer Sr., 74, of Buena Vista, Virginia, and formerly of Rainelle, West Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at his home.

Born on April 14, 1934 in Rainelle, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Cecil C. and Anna Hanson Shafer.

Benny served in the United States Army as a guided missile crewman and received an honorable discharge.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, maybelle K. Forren Shafer; a son, Richard Dean Shafer; a grandson, Stevie McNeil; a brother, Bobby Shafer; and two sisters: Phyllis Jones and Glenna Holcomb.

Survivors include six children: Patricia A. Powell (Larry) of Natural Bridge Station, Va; Penny J. Smith (Danny) of Buena Vista; Benny R. Shafer Jr. (Regina) of Buena Vista; Tiny M. Moore (David) of Buchanan, VA; Becky McNeil of Lexington, Va; and Michael P. Shafer of Buena Vista; six grandchildren: Katie Moore Hazelwood, Casey Moore Burgess, C. J. Wallace, Ben Shafer III, David Moore Jr. and Dylan Smith; and two great grandchildren: Jacob and Austin Shafer.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at the Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle, West Virginia, with the Rev. Larry Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the Wallace Memorial Cemetery in Clintonville, West Virginia.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Arrangements are being handled by the Wallace & Wallace, Inc. of Rainelle, West Virginia.