Benjamin David West

Benjamin David West, age 95, (Gunter Oskar Uhlig) passed away peacefully on Friday, October 07, 2021. Ben was born in Chemnitz, Germany to Oskar Alvin Uhlig, Hildegard Ella Grosser Uhlig. Ben was a member of Wallace Memorial Baptist Church and loved being a member of his Sunday school class, and studying God’s word. Ben earned his electrical, chemical, and textile degree in Germany. He lived in South Africa for six and a half years, where he was hired to put up two textile mills. He was hired by a company in Switzerland to come to America to build and manage textile mills. He was naturalized in November of 1973 and was proud to be an American citizen. When moving to Tennessee to open a mill, he met Imogene “Jeanne” Witt and they were married for forty-seven years. They opened two textile mills- Ben Tex Ind. and Ugo-Tex. Ben is preceded in death of his parents, sister, brother-in-law Freia and Werner Mueller, his brother-in-law Ottamer Jarger, his step-daughter Donna Haynes. He is survived by his wife Jeanne Witt West, step-son David Irwin (Debra) Florida, step son-in-law Steve Haynes, step grand-daughters Angie Doubleday and Rhea Anne Rameras (Erasma) and two step great-grandchildren Addie and E.J., sister Gisela (Germany), Ben was much loved by his family in Germany and America. Family and friends may call at their convenience 9:00-5:00pm on Monday, October 11, 2021 at Mynatt Funeral Home, Fountain City Chapel. Family and friends will meet 2:45pm Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at Greenwood Cemetery for a 3:00pm graveside service, officiated by Darrell Wright. Online condolences may be expressed at mynattfh.com