Funeral service for SSG (Retired) Phillip James "Ben" Binion, Jr. will be at 9:00 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2025, in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel, Lawton, Oklahoma.

Burial with full military honors will be in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.

The family will greet friends Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

SSG (Retired) Phillip James "Ben" Binion Jr., 72, of Lawton, Oklahoma passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City.

Phillip James Binion Jr. was the son of Phillip James Binion Sr. and Margaret Robinson Binion. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 9, 1952.

He attended St. Louis public schools and graduated from Soldan High School in 1971. He then worked at Missouri Rolling Mill for several years before entering the U.S. Army on July 12, 1978. Phillip served in the Gulf War, participating in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He dedicated 20 years of service and retired honorably as a Staff Sergeant on March 31, 1998.

Phillip was a social butterfly-vibrant, colorful, and full of life. He loved his family deeply and was the life of the party wherever he went. He was affectionately known as "Pete" to his family and friends in St. Louis, and "Ben" to his friends in Lawton. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, shooting pool, and racing cars. Phillip earned several racing trophies in his youth, including two eliminator trophies at St. Louis International Raceway in a modified Pinto-hence the nickname "Pinto Pete."

Phillip was baptized at an early age and was a member of Gregg Chapel AME, where his family attended. He briefly sang in the choir and played the cello as a child. Pete was a blessing to many, especially to his family and friends-always ready to lend a helping hand when needed. He will truly be missed for his many acts of kindness, his generous heart, and his excellent cooking skills.

Phillip was preceded in death by his loving parents, Phillip James Binion Sr. and Margaret Robinson Binion; his second wife, Sumolthip "May" Binion; and his beloved nephews, James Major Douglas III of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Brandon L. Binion of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his first wife, Yong "Chae" Binion; his daughter, Cleo Binion (Larry); and his three grandchildren: Iyana Binion, Zenia Binion, and Larry D. Speller III of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his son, Phillip James Binion III of Honolulu, Hawaii; his sisters, Nona Simpkins; Marrine "Renee" Binion (Tyrone) of St. Louis, Missouri; Rev. Geneva Allen-Patterson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and his brother, Caster Darryl Binion (Della) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He leaves behind the entire Dixon, Hughes, Binion, and Giles families.

Special Friends

Darrell Gillespie

James Whatley

Calvin J. Samuels (Chongsu)

Lester Meals

John Dawson (Dianne)

And his companion Sharon Johnson

Acknowledgments

On behalf of the family, we thank you all for coming to celebrate the life of Phillip James Binion Jr. during this time of bereavement. May the Lord continue to keep you, and may God bless you all.

The service may be viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com