Mr. Benjamin Cooper Willson, 66, of the Deadwood Community in Panola County, Texas, died at 1:28 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at UT Health hospital in Tyler, Texas, surrounded by his family. He was a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and a woodworking craftsman by trade.

Mr. Willson was survived by his loving wife, Belinda Chavez, of Carthage (Deadwood), Texas; son, Patrick Ray Fortune of Karnack, Texas; daughter, Kandace Kayne Fortune Flowers and husband Kevin Flowers of Beckville, Texas (and their children, Emma Smith Tinkle and husband Ryan Tinkle, and son Townes Walker Tinkle of Longview, Texas, Samuel Ethan Smith of Carthage, Texas, and Sadie Kayne Severance of Beckville, Texas); sister, Bonnie Z. Willson Holguin and husband Vernon G. Holguin of Jersey Village, Texas and their daughters (Wendy L. Holguin and husband Artie Jacinto, Stormie Y. Holguin, and Misty D. Holguin and husband Jorge L. Trevino); sister, Deborah J. Willson Cox of Converse, Louisiana, and her son Adam Nathaniel Cox; brother, Thomas M. Willson, Jr. of Converse, Louisiana; nephew, Timothy Michael Garland and wife BobbieJo of Tyler, Texas; and several nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mr. Willson was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas M. Willson, Sr., and Betty Jane Ryan Willson; and sister, Stephanie Anne Willson Garland.

Mr. Ben loved cooking, the great outdoors and was a master of woodworking craft. He loved fishing, gardening, collecting and polishing rocks, and using his skills to build unique and beautiful wood artifacts, and remodel homes, adding his touch of class to specific details, particularly the home he and Belinda lived in for 25 years in Pearland, Texas and their home in Deadwood, Texas.

Cremation arrangements entrusted to Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

A guestbook may be signed at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.