William Benson

Cullowhee, William "Bill" Benson, age 73, of Winterberry Drive, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation. A native of Plattsburgh, New York, where he lived until he received a scholarship at Western Carolina University where he lettered in basketball and football. He was the son of William and Alice Weldon Benson and was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Lott and two brothers, Wayne and Dean Benson. He was a former employee of Dayco and later retired from the Jackson County School System where he taught Physical Education and coached for 25 years. He later volunteered with Western Carolina University's Basketball Program during the summer months and also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening, and going to flea markets. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, June Peterson Benson; a daughter, Angela McFarland and her husband, Robbie, of Summerfield, North Carolina; one son, Brian Benson and his wife, Pamela of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; two grandchildren Olivia and Garrett Benson; two sisters, Helen Bell of Marietta, Georgia and Linda Payne of Richmond, Virginia; sister-in-law, Jeanette Peterson, of Maggie Valley; brother-in-law, Bruce Peterson and his wife, Carol, of Asheville; and a special niece, Arletta Duprey of Plattsburgh, New York. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Cullowhee United Methodist Church with Reverend David Reeves and Reverend Julia Trantham officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cullowhee United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1267, Cullowhee, NC 28723.

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