Benjamin Ernest Vegors

Benjamin Ernest Vegors passed away on March 12, 2025, at the age of 102, surrounded by those who loved him, each holding his hand as he took his last breath and peacefully went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ben was a long-term resident of Walla Walla, once remarking to his beloved wife Betty of 61 years, “I don’t want to live anywhere else; this town is where I am going to die.” Although Ben is gone, he will live in our hearts and our souls forever.

Born on a kitchen table in Napa, California, on September 25, 1922, Ben was a child of the Great Depression. Working multiple jobs as a young man, he brought his earnings home, giving it to his mother in support of the family. Occasionally, she would give him back a nickel or a dime, which he would use to buy his favorite food - bananas! Finding a loose brick on the front porch of their home in Sacramento, he would hide his small fortune, starting a pattern of strict savings that lasted his entire life.

As a result of the atrocities taking place in Hitler’s Germany, Ben joined the National Guard and received military training for over a year before being honorably discharged for fraudulent enlistment; he had lied about his age to join. On November 9, 1942, he rejoined the Army. Based on the scores he made in several tests, he was given a choice of which branch he wanted to serve in, selecting the new Army Air Corp because the thought of flying in planes sounded “quite thrilling” at the time. Given his size and ability to shoot he was assigned the role of tail gunner on the B-24 bomber, often referred to as the Flying Boxcar because it was cramped, cold, noisy, and known for its poor maneuverability. Its other nickname was the Flying Coffin due to its singular entry point causing it to be virtually impossible to exit during an emergency.

From 1944 to 1945 he flew 30 missions over Germany guided by a verse from Psalm 121:8; “The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” It was during one of these early flights their plane shot up, three of the four engines failing, uncertain if they would make it across the English Channel, that Ben got on his knees in the bomb bay and prayed, “God, if you spare me, I will serve you for the rest of my life.” On three different occasions, he gave up his seat to another airman, either through orders or voluntarily, to allow another man to fulfill his number of required missions. In each instance, the replacement tail gunner never made it home. True to his word, never once wavering, Ben served the Lord for the remainder of his life.

Discharged from the Army in October of 1945, Sergeant Ben Vegors of the 715th Squadron, 448th Bomb Group, was the recipient of several commendations, including the Certificate of Valor; however, he was extremely humble. When others would say, “You are a hero,” he deferred to all the others who have served, saying, “We were just doing what needed to be done.” He always went out of his way to understate his role; however, he was extremely proud of the time he spent in support of his country.

Attending Lewis and Clark University, Multnomah School of the Bible, and the University of London, where he received his degree in theology, Ben forged his path, supporting the commitment he made to the Lord. He opened churches across the Pacific Northwest, in communities such as Jewel, Mist, Astoria, and later Junction City, Oregon, before moving to Walla Walla in 1972, where he served as minister for a couple of local Baptist churches. It was in Walla Walla where he “began” his career as a VA Chaplain at the age of 51.   Ben served as a Chaplain for the VA Hospital in Walla Walla for 40 years before retiring at the age of 91! He considered it a tremendous honor and privilege to work with veterans on a daily basis, calling it “the most fulfilling, satisfying, and rewarding work I have ever performed.”

Ben has been recognized twice with entries into the Congressional Record. The first was at his retirement, where he was identified as the longest-serving and longest-living Chaplain in VA history. The second was on his 100th birthday, recognizing the century mark while acknowledging his service record for both the Army and the VA Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Vegors, to whom he was married for 61 years. “It was as if the Lord sent Betty my way to help me walk through life. She was my angel.” He was also preceded in death by his son, David Neil Vegors, who left this world far too soon. Recently, Ben shared tearfully that of all his brothers and sisters, he was the only one left.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Persis; sisters, Margaret, Charlotte, and Adele; and brothers, Paul and Alfred.

He is survived by his son, Peter Vegors (Kelli), along with grandchildren, Ben Vegors (Taylor) and Briana Torres (Josue), along with three great-grandchildren, Averi and Emilia Vegors and Ethan Torres. Ben recently learned that he will be blessed with a new grandson who will carry on the Vegors name. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren never failed to bring a smile to his face.

Viewing will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 3:00 – 6:00 PM, at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home. Services will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center Chapel. Burial will take place at the Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. A reception for all will be held after the services in the VA Hospital Theater. Please come and share your memories and stories of Ben with his family.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the American Bible Society or the Veterans Association of America, Inc. through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.