Dr. Ben Cashion

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Benjamine Samuel Cashion, DVM. Ben passed, unexpectedly, to be with his Lord and Savior on February 24, 2025. He and his beloved wife, Mary Lyle, had spent a joy filled day moving into their new home in Will’s Valley when he passed Monday evening. It is with overwhelming grief and shock that we have navigated the days since his passing. What an honor though to have shared life with Ben and now to celebrate the impact he had on our lives. We are grateful for the love and support of each person offering condolences and memories of time spent with Ben. Thank you for taking time to help us remember and keep him alive in our hearts and minds.

Ben was born in Hamilton, Alabama on December 8, 1949, the youngest brother to Eugene and Robert. In middle school, his love of jazz music began when he learned to play the saxophone. Ben played football at Hamilton High School, graduating in 1969.  After high school, Ben attended Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee and Harding University in Arkansas before serving our country in the U.S. Navy as a machinist mate on the USS Hoel DDG-13 stationed in San Diego, CA. This paved the way to attending his beloved Auburn University where he graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. Ben completed his preceptorship in Virginia and returned to Alabama where he opened his practice in Hamilton. Eventually he bought Dr. Burgess’s practice in Haleyville, consolidating the practices to serve the veterinary needs of Winston County until he retired from full-time practice in 2019. Ben’s love for animals and helping them did not retire however, as he maintained his veterinary license and was looking forward to continuing relief work practice at DeKalb Animal Hospital in Fort Payne.

Ben welcomed his most precious gift, Sunny Leigh Cashion, to the world in July of 1978. Sunny and her daughter Violet have brought Ben so much joy and filled his life with love beyond measure. “Children are a gift from the Lord.”

And so is finding your person to love and walk life’s journey alongside. In 1990, Ben met Mary Lyle Longshore by chance when she was searching for her lost dog. The dog was not found but what they did find was each other. In 1991, they married and shared a beautiful family of three children, Sunny, Ethan and Chris. Now, 35 years later, they are an inspiration for the beautiful union that marriage can be.

Ben knew the order of things. He loved God first, his wife Mary, being a father to Sunny, Ethan and Chris, loving Cyrus, Delilah, Canon, Lilianna and Violet as only a grandfather can, and of course his 1972 Corvette and all things Auburn . . . War Eagle! He enjoyed tinkering in his garage, cooking manicotti with a glass of wine, and a good laugh.

Speaking of the Lord, Ben loved his Lord and Savior; for that we are grateful. Grateful for the promise of eternal life and the knowledge that we will be reunited in Heaven. Ben and Mary have been blessed to serve the Lord in every community they have lived through various discipleship programs.

While our hearts are sad to say goodbye to Ben on this earth, it is with great joy that we will remember him and keep our memories of him alive because of all the good times we shared.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents Helyn (nee Owsley) and Curtis Eugene Cashion and his brother Robert Cashion. He is survived by his wife Mary Lyle Longshore Cashion; children Sunny Cashion, Chris Satcher, and Ethan Acres (Sissy); brother Eugene Cashion (Kay); and grandchildren Violet Cashion, Lilianna Satcher, Canon Satcher, Cyrus Acres and Delilah Acres.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 at the Christian Life Center of First Methodist Church of Fort Payne, with Rev. Jeff Tate and Rev. Terry Bentley officiating. Burial will follow at Valley Head Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the S.O.S. Ministry of First Methodist Church, 206 Grand Avenue NW, Fort Payne, AL 35967.

Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is in charge of arrangements.