Bennie Woodall, 71, of Huntsville, passed away Friday morning.Bennie was a patient and understanding family man who was generous with both his time and possessions. He loved his family and friends very much but he had a passion for baseball. In addition to playing senior baseball and serving as an umpire for local youth leagues, he helped promote the Miracle League of North Alabama, a non-profit organization focused on providing a safe and enjoyable team sport experience for kids and young adults with physical or mental disabilities.
He was preceded in death by his son, Spencer. He is survived by his wife, Connie; daughter, Paige Woodall Brown (Chris); daughter-in-law, Bebe Bishop Woodall and grandchildren, Ann Christian Brown, Kate Byars Brown and Benjamin Carter Woodall.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday in the chapel at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with Rev. Ralph Keel, Jr. officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the Miracle League of North Alabama, P.O. Box 4145, Huntsville, Alabama, 35815 or www.mlhuntsville.com.
7 comments
I only knew Bennie for a week — in Phoenix last year in the MSBL World Series — and that’s all I needed to know what a fine person he was. And a fine ballplayer, too.
–Larry Paladino
Bennie, you will be miss from our own field of dreams. May the Good Lord provide comfort as you rest. My condolences to the family for allowing me to know and playing along side, not only a great ball player but a decent person. You will be remembered.
Bennie introduced me as the biggest liar in California, obviously a friendly joking comment. We shared many laughs together. He loved my endless supply of tasteless jokes. He was a terrific straight man. We also shared a joyful baseball experience playing against each other. He will be greatly missed by many of our mutual friends. Rankin Lyman, Sacramento
I met Bennie last year when we played baseball in Phoenix and Ft Myers for a week each. What a wonderful person and a great baseball player. After meeting him I felt like we had been friends for years. Always had a joke and a smile on his face. He really liked my cooking, or told me what I could do to make it better. We had a great time in Phoenix and I never saw a guy sleep for 20 hours and then pitch a great game. I guess he was well rested. My condolences to the family. He will be missed.
Ditto to all the replies above…we enjoyed playing with and against Bennie for yrs. He was always a good sport and super senior’s player with good humor…Rankin always has bad jokes:-)
Rocky Graziano, DCMSBL
My condolences to the family.
Known Bennie for many years in tournaments starting in Phoenix MSBL early 90’s in Arizona. We were team-mates in 1995 Hobbs and then always seemed to play against him after that in several states. Bennie was a good man, always had a nice word to say about you and a tough competitor.
Keep a position open for me up there Bennie!
Billy Berks
South Jersey
OMG, was finishing up a pleasant weekend at home with my wife and saw the drop down on the Roy Hobbs website that shows a list of baseball comrades who have passed. Shockingly my eyes saw Bennie’s name and I froze. Bennie was one of the most interesting and engaging players I had the honor to get to know. In all the years seeing and speaking with him in Las Vegas, Florida and Arizona I don’t think I ever played against him or with him. But one thing is for sure, like all of us in this fraternity, a TRUE BASEBALL DEVOTEE. My parents even got to meet Benny in Floriida when they would come to Ft Myers to watch me and vacation. I am so saddened by this and I am sort of shocked. I am wondering if he was ill because the last time I saw him, he seemed fine. Benny was one of the interesting people in the world, always with a story, always made me laugh and always had a tremendous warmth. AS I sit at my desk writhing this, That silence of not seeing him in Arizona this year now makes sense. He always had the half chewed up cigar in his mouth, sort of his hallmark. A true gentlemen and I will miss you Bennie, we always seemed to see each other at a game, or at a restaurant or some baseball venue. Rest in peace my friend and I hope there is an eternal baseball field in heaven for you and all of us. RIP!