ATCHLEY, Benjamin Orval (Ben)

Vining Funeral Home, Safford, Arizona Benjamin Atchley July 14, 1955 - December 11, 2013 Funeral services for Benjamin Atchley, of Safford, will be conducted Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at 3:00 p.m., at the Safford Church of Christ. Benjamin Orval Atchley, age 58, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, 11 December, 2013, at his home in Safford, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family. He was born 14 July, 1955, in San Manuel, Arizona, to Herman and Fay (Smith) Atchley. Ben grew up in Arizona and spent his later teenage years in Australia. After attending high school in Perth, Western Australia and Townsville, Queensland Australia he studied at Lubbock Christian College, Texas, where he met his future wife, Esther Paden. They were married on 8 January, 1977 in Glasgow, Montana and spent the last 36 years in wedded bliss. Soon after marriage, Ben and Esther moved to Leadville, Colorado where he worked in underground mining and completed an electrical apprenticeship. During nearly 30 years of working as a highly respected electrician in Colorado, Ben and Esther welcomed four children into this world: Jason (deceased), Jarod, Maurice and Nysha. In September 2007, Ben and Esther moved to Safford, Arizona, where he worked as a master electrician and electrical trainer for Freeport McMoRan. In 2009, he went to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa as an electrical consultant for the completion and commission of a new mineral processing plant. In 2011, Ben and Esther adopted their granddaughter Sara. Ben was baptized at the age of 7 and lived the rest of his life as a Christian. During the last six years he attended Safford Church of Christ where he served in many capacities – most recently as an elder. Ben was the beloved son of Herman and Fay Atchley, and was preceded in death by: his father, Herman, and son Jason. He is survived by: his wife of 36 years, Esther; brothers, Dan, Mark, David and Mike; sisters, Toni, Eva, Karen and Anna; sons, Jarod and Maurice; daughter Nysha; and granddaughters, Jordan and Sara. He touched the lives of many, family and friends around the world. Family will receive friends Monday evening, December 16, 2013, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Safford Church of Christ and Tuesday afternoon, December 17, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., also at the Safford Church of Christ. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Benjamin Atchley please visit our Sympathy Store.