Ben Younger

Ben Younger, age 74, of West, passed away early Saturday morning, June 20, 2015 at the William Clements Jr. University Hospital in Dallas. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of West, with Dr. John Crowder officiating. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Ben was born on February 6, 1941 in Cisco, the son of Aubrey Bruce and Claudie Ruth (Trigg) Younger. He graduated from Grand Prairie High School in 1959 and Texas Wesleyan University in 1963 with a Bachelors Degree in Religion. Ben earned a Doctorate in Theology from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in 1967. On August 31, 1963 he was united in marriage to Kaye McBrayer in Ft. Worth. Ben served as a United Methodist minister for several churches in the Central Texas area including serving as a chaplain for the Methodist Children's Home in Waco from 1968 to 1970. Ben established the first Drug Abuse Treatment Program for MHMR in Waco where he worked from 1970 to 1972. He taught classes at McLennan Community College and was a visiting Professor at St. Paul's School of Theology. He served in several administrative positions, as well as Director of Student Life, at Texas State Technical College for 32 years until his retirement in 2004. Ben represented the Rapoport, Waco and Cooper Foundations of Waco in the early stages of the City of West restoration, and was honored to receive the Alvin R. Payne Memorial Bridge Builders Award from the West Area Ministerial Alliance in 2014. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of West. Ben was a loving father, grandfather and friend who enjoyed having family and friends come out to the farm. His playful nature endeared him to many and his spirit of caring and friendship was a trait enjoyed by family and friends. Ben is survived by his beloved wife of almost 52 years, Kaye McBrayer Younger of West; a son, Nathan K. Younger and wife Kimberly of Round Rock; a daughter, Benet Ayers and husband Richard of West; four grandchildren, Richelle Ayers, Allyson Page and husband J. T., Aubrey Younger, and Brett Younger; a sister-in-law, Gaynelle Kelley and husband Lionel; a nephew, Kevin Kelley and wife Kathy; a niece, Karen Norman and husband Ted; a great grandchild on the way; several cousins, including Johnny Trigg; and many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Area Ministerial Alliance or to the charity of your choice.