PETERS, BENJAMIN HARRISON, JR. - 86 of Knoxville, died on November 21, 2009, at Maryville's Blount Memorial Hospital from complications after suffering a fall. Born March 19, 1923, to Benjamin Harrison Peters Sr. and Cleo Stair Peters of Clinton. Served in the Army Air Force during World War II, where he was trained as a radio mechanic and sent to India to fly "The Hump" over the Himalayan Mountains, transporting supplies to the Army Air Force and the Chinese Government. After the war, he earned a business administration degree from the University of Tennessee and worked as a sales engineer at Honeywell before starting his own engineering firm. In retirement, he was an active ballroom dancer and provided music at several area organizations. He married Julia Ann Burgess in 1947 (deceased, 1974), and is survived by their three sons, Benjamin Harrison Peters III (55, Knoxville), Timothy Burgess Peters (50, Oakland, California), and David Walter Peters (48, Nashville); and three grandchildren (Andrew and William, sons of David and Cassie Peters; Tyler Peters, son of Tim and Jessalyn Peters). He is also survived by two of his four sisters, Toni Peters Schmitt (Oak Ridge) and Joyce Peters Pappas (Knoxville); nephews and nieces include Dotty and Lee Shattuck, Jeff and Barbie Schmitt (parents of Emily and Eric), Kathy and Dan Gomez (parents of James and Rebecca), and Jody and Pam Pappas (parents of Ethan). Ben was predeceased by two sisters, Glenna Peters Shattuck and Tincy Peters Ford, and one brother, Carleton. He is survived by his wife, Nellie Shirley, whom he married in 1989, and her children Mike and Peggy Shirley (parents of Benjamin), James and Christine Shirley (parents of Jim, Rene Bates, and William), and Linda Shirley Piatt and Albert (parents of Lorrie, Bonnie MacDonald, and Dorothy). Ben was known for his intelligence, generosity, and kindness. He will be missed. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Trinity Methodist Church (5613 Western Avenue, Knoxville, 865-588-5768). Contributions in lieu of flowers should be made to Second Harvest (feedingamerica.org)