Former Ford President Benton Dies at Age 86

Phil Benton Jr., former president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Co., died last week at his home in Massachusetts. He was 86.

Benton, whose career at Ford began in 1953, became general manager of the company's Industrial and Chemical Product Div. in 1967. He helped launch the company's Customer Service Div. in 1971, became executive director of Ford North American Marketing Operations in 1974 and general manager of Ford Part and Service Div. in 1975.

By 1977 Benton was head of Ford's truck operations in Europe. In 1979 he was named general manager of the Ford Div. He became vice president of North American sales operations in 1981 and joined Ford's board of directors in 1985. He was appointed president of the newly formed Ford Automotive Group in 1987.

Benton became president and chief operating officer under CEO "Red" Poling in 1990. He retired in 1992.