Hanover, N.H. —
Mark, his wife Mary Beth, grandchildren Cole, Will and Nick
Kathy, her husband Rick Barth, grandchildren Erik, Matt and Brendan, Jim, his wife Beth, grandchildren Jamie and Kelly, John, his wife Donna, grandchildren Shannon, Kristen and Cailyn. He also leaves behind his brother Arthur (Bud) in Guilford Ct, and his uncle Norm in Exeter N.H.
Bill, known affectionately by his family as “Pops”, was born on Dec.1, 1934 in Pawtucket R. I., to Arthur Benson and Dorothy McNerney. He was a Catholic seminarian for five years, studying for the diocese of Providence, and later after leaving the seminary, received a Master’s degree in Economics from Boston College.
He was a parishioner at St. Denis Church in Hanover, N.H. Most of his work years (22) were spent as an IBM executive during the “golden age of computers”, a short time as a Vice President at Wang Laboratories, and for a decade later as a business/organizational consultant to CEO’s and leaders of multi-national organizations.
Bill loved Waterville Valley N.H. where he had a summer home for thirty years, and Longboat Key, Fla., where he wintered for fifteen years. In both places he enjoyed hiking, swimming, playing tennis, and family & friend gatherings. He also loved the Red Sox and Patriots, a fan for a lifetime. Bill traveled countrywide to visit classic car museums and shows; he loved the pre-WWII models and loved talking to the folks who owned them.
Bill was incredibly devoted to his family, passionate about their safety, security, and comfort. He also loved his friends, making new ones on a daily basis, and keeping in touch with old ones. His strong faith helped him know he would see them all again one day.
He enjoyed his last years at Kendal at Hanover, a close community with strong “helping hands”, wonderful medical support, and where he and Kate developed many lasting friendships.
Visitation will be at the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hanover, N.H. on Monday, August 29, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.. There will be a funeral Mass at St. Denis Church in Hanover on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made for the benefit of Dr. Richard Barth, Jr’s Cancer Research. Donations should specify that the gift is in memory of William Benson. Checks should be made payable to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health and can be sent to D-H Office of Development, One Medical Center Drive, HB 7070, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001 or you may call Michele Clark at 603-653-0759.
To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.rand-wilson.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, N.H.