Leland E. Benson, 83 of Hampton Virginia died September 7, 2015. Born May 31, 1932 he served as a Korean War-era Veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. A graduate of the Corcoran School of Art, Washington DC he worked as Staff Artist for Smithsonian Institute Wash DC and then retired as State of Michigan Fine & Graphic Artist. He was a musician (bass and trumpet) in a Dixieland jazz band. Leland is survived by his son, Edward Leland Benson; daughter, Karen Ann Benson; son-in-law, Christopher P. Jacobson; granddaughter, Michelle R. Benson. He was predeceased by wife, Patricia Ann Benson; son, Richard Leland Benson. A funeral service will be conducted Thursday September 10, 2015, 10am atR. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Ave. Hampton A Memorial Celebration of Art, Music and Life will be held at Victorian Station 36 N Mallory St Hampton, VA on Sun. Sept. 20, 2:30pm