Ben Santillan

Ben Santillan, 99, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Ben was born on February 13, 1925, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Julian and Francis (Amaro) Santillan. Ben is preceded in death by both of his parents, Julian and Francis Santillan; his loving wife, Rachel Santillan; brothers James Santillan and Gabriel Santillan; and sisters Mary Rodriguez and Clotilde Marquez. He is survived by his sons, Tom (Doris) Santillan and Daniel Santillan; daughters Theresa Arzola and Debra (Alfredo) Morilla; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 9:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. at Maple Hill Funeral Home, with a funeral service beginning at 11:00. A graveside service will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. During Ben’s sophomore year, Ben worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. He also enlisted in the U.S. Navy during his sophomore year of high school He trained at the Great Lakes Naval Station. After graduation he was sent to a Gunnery school for 16 weeks. He was then sent to New York and assigned to the USS Thorn and later on to the USS Sarasota. Ben was a member of The VFW, the GI Forum where he was a member of the Color Guard. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion. After being turned away from an American Legion post, he and several hispanics form their own. Memory from Ben: One morning I told the guys, “Wake me up when the war is over!” All of a sudden somebody woke me, saying, “Get up!’ “The war is over!” Earlier that month, a guy asked if my friend, who was a cook, would give them some raisins, apples, yeast and sugar. He waited to make some applejack (moonshine). The day the war ended we all had some of that applejack! Since Ben enlisted during his sophomore year, he missed out on his high school education Therefore he went to K.C. Business School under the GI Bill at night. Because of this Ben as a Hispanic was able to move up in positions. Positions that Hispanics at that time were not entitled to. He remained in this position for 27 yrs and retired in 1987 after 40 yrs with the Santa Fe Railroad. Ben loved to play golf and was a member of the Pan-American Golf Association. He was the President of this assn for several years and played an average of once a week. He also joined a Seniors Bowling League and played once a week. The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the exceptional care and compassion Phoenix Hospice provided to Ben. Their dedication and kindness made a profound difference during a difficult time, and we are incredibly grateful for the comfort and support they offered. Thank you for everything you’ve done—it truly means the world to us.

Tributes

Ben Santillan

February 13, 1925 - September 4, 2024