Benjamin F. Armstrong

Benjamin Frank Armstrong, affectionately known as "Frank" to those who knew and loved him. Frank was born on December 19th, 1928, in Hempstead County, Arkansas, to Charlie and Martha Armstrong. He was one of 6 siblings; named Edward, Jessie, Leslie, Charles, Sarah, and Malinda. Frank grew up in Hope, Arkansas, and later moved to Wisconsin, before finally settling in Seattle, Washington, where he would call home for the remainder of his life. Frank would later meet his soul mate the former Ella V. Phillips of Shreveport, Louisiana. They married on October 18th, 1969 and began building a wonderful life together. Frank was an extremely hard worker. He was employed as a longshoreman for many years before being employed at Burlington Northern Railroad Company, where he retired after 30 years of dedicated service. In addition, Frank was an accomplished actor also, a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He starred in many commercials alongside his wife that aired nationwide. One most memorable, Smuckers Jelly. Some of Frank's interests outside of his work included traveling, hunting, fishing, and tending to his beautiful garden in his backyard. Frank faithfully followed sports in ...[more]

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ticular boxing and Mariners baseball. He also enjoyed watching cartoons and other educational programming such as; "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau" and "Wild Kingdom", "National Geographic" and "Animal Planet." Frank accepted Christ as his personal savior, as well as co-founded with his wife the New Light Full Gospel Pentecostal Church. His wife served as pastor, he served as a deacon for the next 21 years. Later on, he and his wife would unite with Rosehill Missionary Baptist Church, where he would also serve devotedly on the deacon board, as well as the usher board until his health would not allow him, even still, he attended church to the best of his ability, all the while looking sharp praising the Lord. Frank was well known and well loved by those he left behind. He was kind, giving, and charismatic along with having a wicked sense of humor. He took great pleasure in storytelling, and spending time with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings. He leaves behind to cherish his memory the love of his life, Ella Armstrong, one brother and one sister, six children; Bessie (John W. Jr.) Neal of Southhaven, MS; Iris (John V.) Neal of West Point, MS; Kathleen Bates of Goodyear, AZ; Benjamin Armstrong, Jr. of Milwaukee, Wl; and Carl (Linda) Armstrong of Milwaukee, Wl. and Annie Phair-Steward of Federal Way, WA. Twenty-five grand children out of state. In Washington State, three grandchildren; Lisa Phair-Williams (Amadu), Kent ,WA, Penny Phair, Federal Way, WA., Kennyetta Phair of Seattle, WA. Six great-grandchildren Joseph, Javonte, Jasmine and Jamayca Williams. Autumn and Chance Phair. Five great-great grandchildren; Jakota and Jaida Williams, Jiselle, Josiah and Jeremiah Garrett.

A time of viewing and funeral service for Benjamin F. Armstrong will be held Saturday, October 8, 2016. Viewing will be from 10:00AM until service time. Funeral services will begin at 11:00AM. Interment will be at Abbey View Cemetery in Brier, WA.