June 15, 1926 – July 8, 2018

 

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for William Edward Blankenstein, 92, who died Sunday, July 8, 2018, at Adams County Nursing Center in Natchez, will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Blankenstein family plot at the Natchez City Cemetery with the Rev. Joan Gandy, pastor of First Presbyterian Church officiating.

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Blankenstein was born on June 15, 1926, in Natchez, the son of Edward W. Blankenstein Jr. and Lillian Schleicher Blankenstein.

He was a 1944 graduate of Natchez High School and served in the U.S. Army. He later graduated from Auburn University where he was a research fellow in chemistry in 1949 to 1950.  He did further graduate work at the University of Texas, earning a Ph.D. in chemistry. He worked for most of his career at DuPont in Wilmington, Del., only recently returning to his beloved hometown of Natchez.  Among the numerous interests he enjoyed during his time in Wilmington was the hybridization of African Violets, a scientific hobby which he pursued with a passion for many years with his late friend and DuPont co-worker, Wallace Behnke and Wally’s wife Libby Behnke.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one uncle and aunt, Rawdon and Ethel Schleicher Blankenstein; and two special cousins, Nina and Willie Belle Wilson.

Survivors include his double first cousin, F. Rawdon Blankenstein Jr. and his wife Kathie, whose children, Vidal, Chesney, Boatner, and especially Don and his wife, Loretta, were like nieces and nephews to him; and a number of other loving cousins in the Wilson, Kaiser and Blankenstein families.

The family requests donations in his memory be made to First Presbyterian Church, Natchez Children’s Services or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.