William D. Benson

WILLIAM D. BENSON William D. Benson, 86, of Stuart, Florida passed away December 4, 2013 at Allegro, Stuart, Florida.
Bill was born in Philadelphia, grew up in Larchmont and over the years lived in Fayetteville/Syracuse, NY; Maplewood, NJ; Fair Haven, NJ; Mamaroneck, NY, and Stuart, Florida. As a teen Bill attended Valley Forge Military High School graduating in time to serve in the Army Air Corp during WW II. Once home safely, Bill rushed forward to embrace life. He entered Yale University and, midway through, married Joyce Martin in 1949. Bill graduated from Yale in the class of 1951 with a BS in mechanical and chemical engineering. During college, he competed for the Bulldogs in swimming. Over the course of his long and satisfying career in sales, Bill worked for various industry giants such as Alcoa and American Express. In his off hours, Bill was an avid golfer at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY. After retirement, Bill and Joyce moved to Stuart and enjoyed more than 15 years at Mariner Sands. Some of his great pleasures were golf, men's coffee circle and his daily trips to the dog park with Rascal and more recently with the ever-lively Riley. There were many highlights to Bill's life, the birth of each of his four daughters being paramount. The day he caught a 15- foot sailfish will always be remembered. And he delighted in laying claim to two holes-in- one on his home course Mariner Sands Golf Club. Bill and Joyce were married for 62 years here together on earth but was preceded in death by Joyce (2012). He was also preceded by his first daughter, Linda Benson Adamek (1951- 2005). Survivors include daughters: Margie Minkler (married to Tad) of Foxborough, MA, Suzanne Robotti (married to Bob) of New York City, and Barbara Benson Vitetta of Stuart. Grandchildren: Jill, Andy, and Kari Adamek; Tim and Elise Minkler; William, Joseph Peter, Daniel and Victoria Vitetta. Great grandson Dylan Adamek. Services will be held on Friday, December 13, 2013 at 11am at Mariner Sands Chapel, 6500 Congressional Way, Stuart, FL. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent : Hibiscus Children's Center. An online guestbook is available at www.martin-funeral.com