Ben Wortham Hough, a longtime resident of Waco, passed away from this earthly life Saturday, May 22, 2021.
A celebration of Life reception will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Saturday June 12, 2021 in the Chapel Room at First Methodist Church, 4901 Cobbs Drive.
Ben’s wishes were to be part of the Willed Body Program at the Dallas U.T. Southwest Medical Center.
Ben was born August 1, 1926 in Wadesboro, North Carolina to Ben H. Hough and Emily Wortham Hough, the first of two sons for the couple. The Hough’s moved to Waco in 1929 where Ben grew up, attending Sanger Avenue Elementary School, West Junior High, and Waco High School where he was a member of the honored Class of 1943. Ben joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, serving in the amphibious forces. He was a coxswain on landing craft boats during the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa in World War Two. Ben was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, and upon returning home he became a student at Baylor University where he graduated in 1950 with a BBA degree. He was a member of the 1948 Baylor baseball team that went to the Western NCAA tournament in Denver, also Ben lettered in baseball in 1949 and 1950. Ben developed a fondness for sports, but baseball was always his favorite. He remained an ardent fan of BU baseball and the schools entire athletic program.
On April 15, 1953 Ben married Judy Baker at St. John’s Methodist Church in Waco where he was a lifelong member until the church merged into what is now Central United Methodist Church. This marriage produced two children, Stan and Judy Lynn. Ben began his career locally with Owens-Illinois Glass in 1950 that spanned 30 years. He served the company in Information Systems in Toledo, Ohio before transferring to New Orleans plant where he was Plant Comptroller. When the opportunity came to return to Waco as comptroller, he was ready to accept the offer from company officials. He retired from the company in 1981.
Ben was a member of Fidelis Lodge 1127 AF&AM, joining in 1949. He was active in the Samaritan Sunday School Class at Central UMC, serving as treasurer for many years. He also worked several years at Habitat For Humanity and Meals on Wheels. He was a member of the Baylor Ex Students Association, the Baylor Heritage Club, Past President (1960) of the Athletic “B” Association, and other civic organizations.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judy, and brother, Percy Hough.
He is survived by his son, Stan Hough and wife, Martha; daughter, Judy Sellers; grandchildren, Matt Sellers and wife, Jessica, Jessica Lee Sellers, Casey Hough Turner and husband, Cody and Ty Hough; four great grandchildren, Jake Sauro, Jackie Langston, Gia and Tori Turner.
Ben asked that memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church or to a favorite charity of your choice in his memory.
Memories and tributes may be left at www.LakeShoreFH.com
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Ben was a very special friend of Betty and Jimmy Richards and entire family. We dearly loved him. May your memories of him sustain you during this difficult time.
John & Linda Richards Duggan🙏🌷💕
Ben was a long time and very cherished friend of my father, David Huddleston, who also was a lifelong member of Saint John’s Methodist Church in Waco. I have fond memories of Ben dropping by to visit my father, who was confined to a wheelchair the last 10 years of his life. Those visits always brought smiles and laughter. Ben was a faithful friend and exceptional christian man. Lynne (Huddleston) Lockwood
Stan and Judy, I am so sorry to hear about Ben. He was a special guy in my life! Ben was my first Little League coach in 1954 for the Elkins Appliance team in the Northwest Little League at the fields on New Road. Ben knew my dad, Wally, since they both worked at Owens-Illinois Glass. I guess he did my dad a favor and picked me for this team! I am forever grateful. He was a lifelong friend of my parents and attended both of their funerals. When my dad died in 1979, I was handling it just fine, during the service and at the cemetery. But when I saw Ben at Oakwood Cemetery, I just lost it!! He continued to be a special friend of mine and my mother’s. On one trip to Waco, we had lunch and looked at some pictures that he had . He did not have a picture of our Little League team, so I had one made and delivered to him. During the past many years, I have always sent a Christmas card and many years he would call and tell me how much he appreciated it. I will not be able to make it to the Celebration of Life for Ben.
He was a very special man in my life!
Stan your dad was one of the great Baylor “Oldtimers”! I always enjoyed seeing him at the Ballpark or any where else. There was no better way to spend an afternoon than visiting with him & Bobby Benge and swapping Mickey Sullivan stories and other great Baylor sports memories. He loved you and your family and was so proud of all of you. I have missed him at the games in recent years, but always think of him when I see his empty seat and know he is always there in spirit. He was a good father, proud grandfather, and a great Baylor Bear!
My wife Becky and me used to sit by Ben at Baylor baseball games for several years. We always enjoyed hearing the stories he would tell. And don’t be late because he would call you out. He came to Becky’s memorial service in Axtell. Very nice man who always made you smile.
Ben was bigger than life. I met him at St. John’s Methodist Church where he was in the same Sunday school as my parents. He’s part of my earliest memories. His two children grew to be fine adults. Condolences to Stan and Judy.
Stan, so sorry to hear about your loss. Your father did some amazing things. What a resume.
Big Ben was a good person with a great sense of humor and a big heart. It was a pleasure to get to know him and will always smile when I think of him.
Peace, love, and light,
Susan Quinn