Ben Course
William "Ben" Course, 83, of Olympia, Wash., died Jan. 1, 2004, at Puget Sound Health Care Center.
He was born July 21, 1920, in Manhattan, the son of David Altman Course and Letitia Mae Perry.
He grew up in Abilene and attended Emporia State Teachers College where he met Jane Socolofsky of Marion. The couple was married in June 1944.
In 1942, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a pilot in the Air Transport Command until 1946, when he was discharged as a captain. His overseas duty was flying "the Hump" in the China-Burma-India theater. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the China War Memorial Medal from the Republic of China.
Ben returned to Emporia State and graduated in 1947 with majors in music and education.
In 1953 he moved his family to southern California, where he became owner/manager of the Arcadia Music Mart until 1970, when he went into commercial real estate. He retired in 2000.
He was a 50-year member and past president of the Arcadia Rotary Club, past president of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, and the maestros of Pasadena.
His main hobby was playing Dixieland piano with various groups at events throughout the San Gabriel Valley. He also was a member of the Sheriff's Posse Band in Los Angeles, Calif.
Ben and his wife relocated in 2001 to Olympia, Wash.
He was preceded in death by two brothers.
Survivors include his wife, Jane; son, Bill Course of Olympia, Wash.; a daughter, Leticia Course of Hawaii; and two granddaughters.
Inurnment will be in Marion Cemetery at a later date.
