Ledford Austin

Ledford “Bill” Austin, 87, of Benton Harbor, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at South Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, St. Joseph.  Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to sign Bill’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  He will be cremated with no services per his wishes. Bill was born Dec 13, 1930 in Waterloo, Alabama to Nancy (Cowin) and Marion Austin.  He graduated from Waterloo High School in 1948.  Bill moved to Michigan in 1960 and met Avis (Beaudine) Anderson in 1970, whom he eventually wed. During his life Bill worked at LECO, managed the Tulsa Gas Station in St Joseph, and drove for Lakeland Mills & Valley Truck Parts.  Bill and Ava owned and operated the Pine Pub Kitchen in St. Joseph from 1976-1988.  Bill enjoyed spending time bowling and shooting billiards in his youth.  In later years he enjoyed spending time with children and grandchildren at their home having pool parties and cookouts.  He was a member of the Moose Lodge #1570 in Benton Harbor. He is survived by his wife Avis; son Ronald (Faye) Austin of Tuscumbia AL, daughters Elizabeth Roberson of Martin, TN, and Charlene Woods of Watervliet, MI; grandchildren Julie (Nicolas) Carter of Coloma, MI, Janet (Brian) Tufnell of Pukalani HI, Russell Anderson, Jr. of Logansport IN, Charles Green III of Louisville KY, and Heath Austin, Cory Austin, Jacob Austin, Tina Austin, & Cindy Capin all of Alabama, 16 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceeded in death by his son Russell Anderson, his daughter Kathren Ledbetter, his parents Nancy and Marion Austin, brothers Cecil Austin and Rayford Austin, sisters Edna Hinton, Thelma Austin, Elsie White, a grandson Ronald Austin, Jr. and his beloved Pomeranian Simba.