Benny Edward Slater

Benny Edward Slater of Graham passed away on November 5th, 2026. He was 82 years old.

Benny was born in Graham, TX, to Charlie E. and Velta Jo Slater in 1944. He graduated from Graham High School in 1963.

Benny nearly missed out on the love of his life, Margaret Hunter, when he stopped on his way to their first date to help someone on the side of the road. But when she got home that night, he was still there, waiting on her porch. They were married for 59 years, raised two children together, and shared countless rides through the pasture.

Though he spent nearly all of his life in the town of his birth, he lived a life full of adventures, both far from home while working for Hexcel outside the state on government aerospace contracts and on his ranch northeast of town, where he raised cattle. After a brief retirement, he went to work for Graham I.S.D., first fixing buses and later as the Director of Maintenance and Transportation.

Everyone who knew Benny knew that he was the guy that everyone went to for help with anything that was broken. He’d be there right away; it didn’t matter the time. And he’d be able to fix it, too, regardless of what it was or what was wrong with it. He’d figure something out.

As a young man, he’d been known for drag racing his GTO. At Graham I.S.D., he drove a school bus and became a favorite among the students on his route. Later in life, he drove his dogs on errands around the ranch.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Slater; his two children, Stacey Chamness (Austin) and Eddie (Ariell); and three grandchildren: Hunter Wardrup, Pelagia and Maddox Slater. He is also survived by his brother, Allen (Deanna), a large extended family, and countless friends.

There will be no service at this time. A gathering to celebrate his life will be planned for a later date, with details to be shared when available.