FRANKLIN — Benjamin Vernon Rideout died on Dec. 17, 2015.

Ben was born on April 27, 1948, to the late Robert W. Rideout Sr. and Alma Vaughan Rideout.

He is survived by two brothers and one sister.

Ben graduated in 1967 from Windsor High School. He graduated from the University of Miami, where he was vice president of his class and vice president and president of his college fraternity, Mu Sigma Ta, was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a former member of the Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Carrsville, Virginia.

He was the former owner of the American Royalty Limousine Service and the Royalty Valet Parking Service for the Marriott Hotel in Richmond, and manager of the Holland-Rideout Funeral Home in Franklin.

He was a member of the Isle of Wight Commission On Aging, Beautification Committee, Crime Commission and the Camptown School Park Committee.

Ben enjoyed fishing, traveling and growing exotic lilies and plants which he shared with the elderly and his neighbors.

Ben leaves to cherish his memory a special niece, Stephanie Rideout Cross (Brian); a special cousin, Chip Carpenter (Linda); an aunt, Elizabeth Rideout Perry, and her daughter, Patricia; the Hurff family; lifelong friends Linda Brinkley (Bob), Nancy Carr and family, Patricia and Christopher Sowell, Brenda Stephenson, Shirl Wicks and family, Jeff Tougas and family, Neal Morris, Sara Stacks, Lora Walton, his precious cat, “Pretty Kitty;” and a host of special friends.

Ben always said, “My friends are my life and my world.”

The funeral will be on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. in Beaver Dam Baptist Church, Carrsville, by the Rev. Brandon Nichols. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

There will be a visitation on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennetts Creek Chapel, Suffolk.

www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.