Obituary of William Benjamin Drew

William Benjamin Drew (83) of Cocoa, FL died peacefully at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, FL on 1 February 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Bristol, Tennessee in 1938. Ben met and married the love of his life Geneese Sinnott Drew on 16 May 1959. Ben retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1980 after serving a tour in Vietnam in 1969 and an assignment in Bitburg Germany from 1977-1980. During his 23 years of service he was a member as well as Superintendent of the Presidential Honor Guard. He also worked in Security Police. After his retirement from the USAF, Ben went to work at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at Pan Am World Services & Johnson Controls in Security. He loved working with Ham radios, fishing, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, sailing on his Catalina, doing yard work, home repairs and spending time with his family. A lover of animals, Ben shared his home over the decades with an assortment of dogs, cats and birds. Among them were Champion, Gypsy, Sassy, Kodiak, Rusty, Rico, and Rocky to name a few. He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Geneese Sinnott Drew, his daughter JoAnn Leigh Drew, his brother Cole Drew, his Father Jesse B. Taylor (biological), his Father Joe Drew (adopted) and his Mother Juliet B. Drew. He is survived by his son John M. Drew (wife Susannah), his daughter Cherie M. Drew (wife Lee), grandchildren Courtney Drew Miruku (Husband Erjon), and Taylor M. Drew (wife Brandy), Great grandchildren of Courtney, Alexander and Adrian, and of Taylor, Tanner and Jayce. His brother Griff Drew , sister Mary Sue (Drew) Weigl and his loving companion Harriet May. A celebration of life is scheduled on May 28th, 2022, at 2:00 PM. At Beckman Williamson Funeral Home - 5400 Village Drive, Rockledge Fl. 32955 He will be interned with his wife Geneese in the coming year at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children @ shrinerschildrens.org