Benton M. Tetley

Benton Murphy Tetley, age 72, went to be with his Lord on July 4, 2021, in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. He was born to Bill and Lorene (Reesy) Tetley in Butler, Missouri, where he lived in his early years. He had two older brothers, Fred and Tony Tetley. After leaving Butler, the family moved to Rolla, MO, where he attended school until he was in Junior High. He played French Horn in the band with his father as his band director. Following this time, Murph’s family moved to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he graduated from Jefferson City Senior High School and lived until he went to college. He met his future wife, Linda Ann Gray, while in high school, and married her in Jefferson City, Missouri, the summer before their senior year in college. When Murphy graduated from Central Methodist College with a degree in Music Education, and Linda with a degree in Education from the University of Missouri, they moved to Gallatin, Missouri, for his first band director’s job. He loved this small town and its people, and still heard from many students and friends from those days.  After 4 years, he and Linda moved to Carrollton, Missouri, where he taught band for four years. His bands, both in Gallatin and Carrollton, received many top marks at contests, and the kids learned much about music, as well as life, from Murph. Again, he heard from many students over the years, and was proud that several became band directors themselves, due to his influence. He always instilled in his students that special love of music. Some of his very best friends are from the Carrollton days.  Leaving Carrollton, and band directing, he and Linda returned to Jefferson City, MO, where he lived for the next 30 years or so. First United Methodist Church was a central part of his life there, where he sang in the choir. He and Linda were members of the Fisherman Sunday School Class, where they met most of their very closest and lifelong friends. Murph worked in business in Jefferson City, and started a successful software business with his brother, Tony. He was the perfect salesman, with his outgoing personality and knowledge of technology. Again, he made the most of his working and being with his brother. They were a great pair! For the last part of his working years, he returned to his first love, teaching. This time it was at William Woods University in Fulton, MO, teaching in the business department, for many technology classes. His college students related to him, and he spent many hours volunteering for the baseball team, running the concession stand to make money for the team. In addition, he formed a pep band to play at basketball games. Murph wrote the William Woods Fight Song, and gave the copyright to the University. The Murphy Tetley Award was established, with him as the first recipient. This is awarded to the individual who displays the most school spirit in the WWU athletic department.  Murph had enthusiasm for all the things he ever did, and worked tirelessly on all his projects and interests. These included, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, the Central Methodist University band program, Fayette MO Memorial Bandstand, Mokane United Methodist Church, Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church Choir, the renovation of the garden train and organization of fund raisers for Garvan Woodland Gardens, Greater Hot Springs Garden Railway Society, Hot Springs Village Men’s Chorus, Humane Society, and many others. Murph has been described as “larger than life” and a “bright light” who never knew a stranger, and had love for nature and all he met, especially on their many camping trips all over the country. He loved spending time with his many family members, and cherished every minute spent with them, including the family reunion, held this past June. How he loved connecting with them and having some fun!   Murph is survived by his wife, Linda, of fifty years of marriage, his son Alan Tetley, and his wife Megan, two grandsons, Jackson and Wyatt Tetley, all of Redwood City, California. He is survived by two brothers, Fred Tetley (Linda Joyce) of Hot Springs, AR, Tony Tetley (Kathy) of Columbia, MO, sister-in-law Sandra Jannick of Hot Springs Village, AR, brother-in-law Larry Gray of Lee’s Summit, MO. Also by nieces Lynn Tetley and Jennifer Putnam, nephews Scott Tetley (Jana) and Chad Tetley (Janice). Murph was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law David Jannick.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church, Hot Springs Village, AR, on Friday, July 9, at 10:00 a.m. Memorials are suggested to the Central Methodist University Band Program, or Garvan Woodlands Gardens Sugg Garden Train.   Arrangements entrusted with CedarVale Funeral Home of Hot Springs Village, AR.