Ben Rufus "B.R." Northam, age 93 of Vernon, AL, passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at his residence.

He was born October 29, 1924, in Dawson, TX, to the late George Lee and Bessie Lee Reeves Northam.

In the two years that he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, B.R. had the opportunity to journey six of the seven seas of the world as a Navy Seaman Gunner on the USS Dearborn.  At the end of his enlistment, he was on a more dangerous mission as a gunner on the a ship loaded with explosive aviation fuel in a tense was zone on Sicily and the Persian Gulf.  When he returned home, B.R. became was a farmer then he worked in law enforcement as deputy sheriff under two sheriffs and then retired from Hyster.  He was a faithful member of Lebanon United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ola Grace Elliott Northam; his son and daughter-in-law, Drennon and Sheliah Northam; five sisters, Ruby Nolen, Jewel Webster, Mary Ruth Springfield, Wilma Hollis, and Ann Stephens; and three brothers, Herman Northam, James Northam, and Lee Northam.

Funeral services will be Saturday morning at 11:00 in the chapel of Chandler Funeral Home with Truman Carter officiating.  Burial will follow at Wofford.  Visitation will be Saturday morning 9:30-11:00 prior to the service.

Survivors include two sons, Bennie (Arlene) Northam and Larry (Wanda) Northam; six grandchildren, Amy (Patrick) Pourde, Charlie (Tracy) Northam, Tracey (Casey) Howell, Hollly (Matt) Burford, Justin (Ginny) Northam, and Lance (Natalie) Northam; and 14 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by one sister, Betty Jo (Gray) Norton, and a host of nieces and nephews.

He had four special caretakers, Lena Stafford, Ann Childers, Jeannette Westbrook, and Pat May.