Benjamin Myer Wise, Jr., age, 70, died on Sunday, February 17, 2008, in Panama City, Florida.

Mr. Wise was born and educated in Washington, D.C., but his childhood on the Chesapeake Bay fostered a lifelong pursuit of the traditional skills of a Chesapeake Bay Waterman. While Mr. Wise was a locally acknowledged seaman, boat builder and craftsman; few people knew that in the early 1960's he built and raced stock cars in NASCAR events throughout the South Atlantic region.

Whatever the endeavor, those that knew him agreed that he always acted as he felt was right, without regard to custom.

Mr. Wise was employed with AT&T and, later, BellSouth, for thirty years. He advanced from messenger to lineman and, eventually, outside plant engineer. In addition to his primary vocation, Mr. Wise operated numerous small businesses throughout his life.

Mr. Wise is survived by his wife of 44 years, the former Thelma Papadopoulos. They have resided in Cook Bayou, Florida since 1977.

Mr. Wise is also survived by his mother, Blanche, of Woodbury, Tennessee; a son, Benjamin, of Jackson, Mississippi; two daughters, Daphne, of Alexandria, Virginia and Theodora, of Panama City; his aunts; an uncle; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family. His father, Benjamin, formerly of Jensen Beach, Florida, and his sister, Carole Anne Dixon, formerly of Woodbury, Tennessee predeceased him.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 22, 2008 at the Wilson Funeral Home in Panama City, Florida. Visitation begins at 3:00 p.m. In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.