Phillip Ray Benfield, Jr., 59, passed away peacefully at his home in Shelby, NC.

Born in Warren, Ohio, on June 12, 1965, he was the son of Lucy Boyles Dempsey and the late Phillip Ray Benfield, Sr. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Tammy Wilkes, as well as his grandparents, Waits and Rachel Benfield, Carl and Corine Boyles, and many aunts and uncles.

Phillip proudly served our country for 7 years in the Army and later dedicated many years of his career in telecommunications with T-Mobile.

Phillip was a selfless man who always put the needs of others before his own, living a life of kindness and compassion. He will be deeply missed by all those he loved and whose lives he profoundly impacted.

Phillip is survived by his loving mother, Lucy Dempsey, and her husband, James, of Cortland, Ohio, his nephew, Joseph Wilkes, and numerous cousins in North Carolina and West Virginia.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory, officiated by Pastor Skip Allen. The family will receive friends following the service. A graveside service will take place at 2:00 PM at the Benfield Family Cemetery in Newland, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Phillip's memory to Hope Community Church, 1114 S. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC 28152.

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Benfield.