Benjamin Charles Peterson

Benjamin “Ben” Charles Peterson, 67, of Longview passed away Sept. 2, 2022, at St. John Medical Center.

Ben was a lifelong resident of Longview, born to Bernie and Katie Peterson in 1955. He graduated from Mark Morris High School in 1973, and married his high school sweetheart Lenee Ruddiman in 1975.

Ben worked at Weyerhaeuser Lumber Mill, Reynolds Cable Plant, and retired as a lab technician on the L-3 machine at Weyerhaeuser Pulp and Paper Mill in 2009.

Some of Ben’s favorite pastimes were fishing, working on and restoring cars, watching his beloved Seahawks and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s many sporting and extracurricular events. Ben spent several years coaching his daughter’s softball team, helping take them to a national tournament in California. Later in life Ben could be heard on the sidelines cheering on his grandchildren. With his distinct voice encouraging them, they always knew when he was in the stands, even if they could not see him.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Katie Donahue; a brother, Donald Peterson; and a nephew, Christopher Peterson.

Ben is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lenee Peterson; two daughters, Sarah Hoskins (William) and keri Verhei (Joe); four grandchildren, Alexander Davis, Ashlynn Verhei, Brooklynn Verhei and Collynn Verhei; his father, Bernie Peterson; an d a brother, Daniel Peterson.

A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at Exodus Church, 2746 Ocean Beach Hwy., in Longview.