Condolence: My deepest sympathy to the family. May God continue to watch over everyone and give you strength during this time.

Condolence: My heart caught in my throat when I saw this. My heart aches for all of you. That precious little boy I baby sat. That funny little smile and giggle, so sweet. Unfortunately I grew up, you moved and we lost touch after a while. My sincerest heartfelt condolences. God bless all of you.

Condolence: Hilbun Family,

It is with great sadness that I write this letter to you. Ben was a true friend of mine, he was always there for me, he was always faithful, he would do anything for me and Holly, and we loved him like family. We did some stupid crazy stuff and had a lot of fun doing it. I will never forget blowing beaver dams and experiencing the slowest fuse ever, after 15 minutes we figured it had just gone out somehow, and as we got within 20 feet BOOM, after getting hit with flying sticks and covered in mud we realize we were about to get swept away with a river of water that was now draining from many acres of waist deep water. We turned and ran as fast as we could until we found high ground and fell down in laughter. I remember trying to get that big gator from the lake behind the house and deep down feeling that I hope we really don’t catch it, glad it was too old and smart and got away. I remember going otter killing in Sikes lake and I remember putting at least 400 pounds of crawfish in there and within a week they had made their way to the other side of the lake and there were chimneys everywhere. We laughed about the obstacles those crawfish had to go through in their march from the levee to the shallow end to make their new homes. Oh by the way, after that time the best worm color was red. Since moving from Mississippi my greatest regret has been not coming back and spending time and fishing with Ben. We talked about it but never got it done, between being so many miles away and Ben’s back it never happened. Spending hundreds of days on those lakes fishing, or I should say catching, and talking about everything imaginable and then some, always with Ben’s unique view and perspective thrown in to make me laugh, are some of my fondest memories of my life. Ok just for the record, who caught the biggest bass ever, Ben you know there is no denying it, that would be Holly. A twelve pound recently spawned out female for some reason decided Holly’s plastic worm was going to be a good meal and she only had five feet of line out to the side of the boat, that is until it swallowed and made that reel drag sing. What a fish, the picture is still on my office wall staring at me everyday reminding me who was the best fisher. Holly is still ticked we didn’t get that fish mounted; I’m glad we let it go and it could still be there and now weigh 20 pounds or more, or at least it made lots of lunker bass babies.

Holly and I were honored to have Ben stand up with us in our wedding and I was honored to do the same for Ben and Amie. I wish we had more time. Well I started this letter with great sadness, let me end it with great happiness. In all of our philosophical deep talks we had, we both knew that nobody is perfect, we are all sinners, and we both knew that the most important thing we are all called to do is Love Jesus and to love one another. Ben did this; he loved Jesus and loved people. Ben never wavered in his belief in God, although he wasn’t in church every Sunday morning, he knew Jesus as his personal savior and for this the bible says that he will be in heaven for eternity. God speed brother!

Mrs. Hilbun, William, Anne Howard, and Amie,
We are so sorry for your loss. Holly and I will miss Ben greatly. We would love to keep in touch and come say hello when we are in Starkville. Feel free to call if you wish, 772-519-6435, or look Holly up on facebook.

Cortney and Holly Ohs
Vero Beach, FL

Condolence: Some of my happiest memories growing up involve tooling around in an old john boat for hours waiting for the fish to start biting. Not sure how many times we solved the world’s problems, but it’s fair to say it was high number. When I picture Ben, that’s how I picture him; sitting on that front “seat” with his rod in one hand and that little bitty sculling paddle in the other, paddling backwards in a slow and steady rhythm, and philosophizing about everything from plastic worm colors to geopolitics or creation with equal passion. I would like to say we stayed close but that isn’t the case. Over time we took different paths and drifted apart. For my part I should have done more, but I always have and always will consider Ben my friend. I miss ya buddy. I should have told you sooner and yes Junebug is the best worm color.

Condolence: My sincerest condolences to Hilbun family. Losing a loved one is one of the painful things in this world, no one wants this even our loving Father. It is comforting to know that God deeply cares about us and would soon act to eliminate death. (1 Peter 5:7; Revelation 21:4) May you find comfort from these scriptures and be encouraged that we will soon meet Ben again.