Ira William "Benny" Banard, Sr. 1897 - 1980 Ira William "Benny" Banard, Sr. was born September 14, 1897 in Canadian Indian Territory "Oklahoma" to James William & Sarah Ellen Wilson Banard. August 10, 1919 he married Ellen Harris in Crawford Co., Ar. He resided at Alam, Crawford Co. and she at Van Buren, Crawford Co., Ar. Benny registered for the military draft at Alma, Crawford Co., Ar. He served from April 14 1917 until 24 May 24, 1919. Benny passed away March 29. 1980 in Van Buren, Crawford Co., Ar. His burial was in Rose Lawn Park Cemetery at Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar.