Graveside services for James Frank Benton, 96, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 9th at Riverview Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe. Reverend Larry Stafford of First United Methodist Church will officiate. Mr. Benton was born on December 19, 1915, in Stiles, Texas, and passed away on October 5, 2012, in Monroe, Louisiana. James grew up in west Texas before moving to the Monroe area. He worked various jobs before volunteering, at age 27, for the Army Air Corps in 1942. Commissioned as a first lieutenant, he flew 38 missions as a B-26 bombardier in the European theatre, receiving the Purple Heart and winning the Silver Star. Following the war, he attended the LSU Banking School and worked for Ouachita National Bank and retired as a vice president. James was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Sara Boatner Benton; his parents, Harmon and Jessie Benton; his sisters, Ara Benton Peters and Helen Benton Vollmer; and his brother, Jake Benton. He is survived by his daughters, Susan Benton Lee, and Bette Benton Law and her husband David Law; four grandchildren, Carolyn Lee Allen and husband Guthrie of Paducah, Kentucky, James Benton Lee of Houma, India Law Gregg and husband Tommy, and Elizabeth Law Gregory and husband Jeff, all of Monroe; eight great-grandchildren, Avery and India Allen, Taylor and Mackenzie Lee, Thomas and Owen Gregg and Sara Kate and Addie Gregory; and, numerous nieces and nephews. The family will be receiving visitors at the Benton home Monday, October 8th from 5-7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum of Louisiana.