Benjamin S. Alvarado III passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 25, 2024, after a short but fierce battle with cancer. Ben, also known as "Benji" to his family, was born on October 31, 1969, in San Antonio, Texas.

Ben graduated from Marion High School in 1988, where he was a star athlete in football (fullback and barefoot place kicker) and baseball (centerfielder). He went on to play college baseball at Ranger Junior College, then attended Austin Community College, before entering the workforce full-time.

Ben met the love of his life Maricela Bustos in 1999 and was a devoted father to son Gregory and daughters Kassandra and Hailey. He was also a loving grandfather and "Paw Paw" to Aiden, Omari and Grayson. Ben was also a good and loving son to his parents Rita Morales and Ben and Anita Alvarado. He was a great big brother and protective of his sisters Missy, Tricia, Gina, and brother Matt. Ben was a caring and supportive Uncle to his nieces Phoenix, Reagan, Claire, Sierra, MJ, Mariah, Cheyenne, Daisy and nephews Matthew Jr., Timothy, Joziah, Westley, and Stellan. Ben was always inquisitive about his nieces and nephews and interested in their sports and activities, making his every effort to attend their functions and events when he was in town. He regularly attended football games, baseball games, basketball games, volleyball games, and go-kart races.

Ben was a hard-worker and proud to have worked for the Zachry company for nearly 15 years. Ben held multiple positions over the years with Zachry, including Journeyman Pipefitter, Structural Welder, and Material Specialist. He worked multiple industrial construction projects in Texas and Florida for Zachry and helped build Power Plants, Petrochemical Facilities, and LNG export facilities. He especially loved the culture, camaraderie, and friendships he developed with his brothers and sisters in the field.

Prior to Zachary, Ben spent almost 20 years in retail. He worked up through various positions from Loss Prevention and Security to Inventory Control Manager to Assistant Manager to Manager for departments stores like JCPenney, Target, K-Mart, Linen 'N Things, and Bed Bath & Beyond. Ben met and gained many life-long friends from Austin to San Antonio during these years.

Ben played men's slow-pitch softball for years with his father, brother, and friends in his younger years and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and barbecuing. He also enjoyed listening to music and attending live shows, watching the Cowboys play (win or lose), and was a fan of the Houston Astros (Don't tell Dad!).

Most of all, Ben loved his family and brought both family and friends together. He never failed to make us laugh and enjoy life. He would drop everything to help a friend in need and expected nothing in return. He made friends anywhere he went. (Believe us, we have stories!) He was truly concerned about every single individual in his life and always cared to ask how everyone was doing. Ben was a good man with a huge heart, a loving man, and a loyal friend. We are all truly blessed to have had him in our lives. He will forever be missed and never forgotten. Ben is not only leaving us at a great loss now that he is gone, but our lives will never be the same without him.

Ben is survived by his loving wife Maricela Alvarado and son Gregory Carter and daughters Kassandra Carter and Hailey Alvarado and grandchildren Aiden, Omari and Grayson. Ben is also survived by his parents Rita Morales and Benjamin and Anita Alvarado, as well as his maternal grandmother Gabina Hernandez. Ben's surviving loved siblings are Melissa Aguilar, Patricia (Peter) Larson, Regina (Bryan) Untereiner and brother Matthew (Selena) Alvarado, and many beloved nephews, nieces, grand-nephew, grand-niece, cousins, aunts, uncles, and great aunts and great uncle.

Ben is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Benjamin and Abelina Alvarado and maternal grandfather Gilbert Hernandez. He is also preceded in death by Cousin Nook Anthony Gustamante, Stepfather Andrew Morales, Uncle Andrew Hernandez, and Uncle Richard Barrera.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024, with the viewing beginning at 1:00 PM and the Rosary at 3:00 PM, at Castillo Funeral Home, 520 N. General McMullen Dr., San Antonio, Texas. The Honorary Pallbearers will be Matthew Alvarado, Peter Larson, Bryan Untereiner, Timothy San Miguel, Westley Larson, Matthew Alvarado Jr., Donovan Williams, Ryan Soto, and Stephen Hjlemstad. The family will hold a private ceremony for the burial to honor the memory and life of Benjamin S. Alvarado III.