B. W. “Ben” Chitwood, age 88, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Saturday, July 13, at the Oneida Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Mr. Chitwood was born Feb. 27, 1925, in Oliver Springs. He continued to live in Oliver Springs until early adulthood, when he enlisted into the U.S. Navy, where he served his country during World War II.
Following his military discharge, he became a public servant and worked as a police officer in North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. In Tennessee, he was employed at the Oak Ridge Police Department, the Roane County Sheriff’s Department, and on two separate occasions he served as the Oliver Springs police chief. While working in North Carolina, his most memorable employment was for the Biltmore Forest Police Department.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Harrison B. and Lillian Chitwood, and by two brothers, Harrison Benjamin Chitwood Jr. and Louis Chitwood.
Mr. Chitwood is survived by his wife, Carolyn Faye Chitwood of Oliver Springs; by sons, Benjamin Ronald Chitwood and wife Teresa of Oneida, and William Larry Mitchell and wife Linda of Hendersonville, N.C.; by four grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; by a step-son, Michael Laudermilk and wife Betty of Oliver Springs; by a step-daughter, Sherry Laudermilk and husband Mike Bell of Rockwood; and by three step-grandchildren, and 10 step-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by a sister, Dora Mae Wassenaor of Winfield, Tenn.; by brothers, Milford Chitwood and wife Brenda of Winfield, Tenn., and George Chitwood of Florence, Ky.; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Mr. Chitwood will be cremated, and his ashes will be buried on his property in the Dyllis Community in Roane County.
Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Chitwood family and a guest register book is available at www.sharpfh.com.
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