Mr. Benny Wayne Hester, age 72 of Irondale, AL and formerly of Vernon, passed away Friday, December 28, 2012 at Trinity Medical Center in Birmingham, AL.

Mr. Hester was born January 30, 1940 in Sulligent, AL to the late S.F. and Clora Lee Hester. He was a Church of Christ minister and preached for sixty-one years. Mr. Hester enjoyed spending time with his family and preaching the gospel of Christ. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Dot Madison, and two brothers, Foy Hester and Giles Hester.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1:00 at the Christian Chapel Church of Christ, where he will lie in state 12-1, with David Hester, Johnny Hester, and Guy Hester officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening 5-8 at the funeral home.

Mr. Hester is survived by his wife, Mary Anne Hester of Irondale, AL; daughter, Sandra Hester Lynch of Clarksville, TN; son, David (Brenda) Hester of Pinson, AL; two brothers, Guy Hester of Corinth, MS and Johnny Hester of Siketon, MO; four grandchildren, Jaclyn Lynch, Randi Major, William Hester, and Jonathan Hester; great-grandchild, Lyla Major; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.