Former San Benito mayor, businessman Charles Weekley dies

SAN BENITO - Charles Weekley, a former mayor and owner of a furniture store here, died Sunday in Corpus Christi. He was 79.

At Tuesday's City Commission meeting, Mayor Joe H. Hernandez asked for a moment of silence before any city business was discussed.

"Chuck Weekley did a great contribution for the city of San Benito as far as a businessman and mayor," Hernandez said.

Weekley came to the city when it was in controversy, Hernandez said, speaking of the city's bankruptcy problems at the time Weekley became mayor.

Hernandez said Weekley "brought the city back to life."

"He will not be forgotten," he added.

Mayor Pro Tem Victor Garza said the city would honor Weekley, a military veteran, with flags at half-staff "to honor the life and public service" of Weekley on Wednesday. Residents and businesses with flags were encouraged to do the same.

Weekley, the owner of Whalen's Furniture on West Business 77 in San Benito, was born on a farm in Bunston, Miss. Weekley and his wife Meredith raised four children in San Benito.