William (Bill) D. Benn

William (Bill) D. Benn of Columbus, age 96, passed away on July 17, 2021.  He was preceded in death by his parents Cloyd T. and Rosa V. Benn, his sister Doris Chubb, and his wife of 59 years, Margaret Stauffer Benn.   Bill is survived by his son Doug Benn (Mickey) of Sandy Springs; daughter Cathy Jackson (Robert) of Evans; son John (Charlene) of Columbus; and grandchildren Kelsey Benn, Madeline Polan (Barrett), Kevin Jackson, Shelly Pruitt (Jeremy), Ryan Jackson, TravisBenn, Cody Benn (Haley); and adored companion of the last 11 years, Barbara Waller of Columbus.

Bill was born April 1, 1925, in Altoona, PA and was raised in Harrisburg, PA.  A member of the Greatest Generation, he served his country during World War II in France, Germany, and Okinawa as a proud member of the US Army.   At the conclusion of the war, he resumed his education and graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Bill began a long career in clothing and textile manufacturing with International Latex in 1950 in Dover, Delaware.  He and Margaret married the same year and through a series of moves within the textile industry, the family lived in Dover, Manchester, GA, San Juan, PR, and Petersburg, VA before settling in Columbus in 1969.  Bill retired as the Treasurer of Johnston Industries in Columbus in 1991.

As a teenager, Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a summer retreat.  He was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and a Deacon.  For over 15 years, he served as the Church’s coordinator for the Break Bread home delivery meal service.  An avid golfer, Bill played weekly with the Hackers at Green Island Country Club and instilled a love of the game in his son John.

A celebration of his life will be held 2:00pm Friday July 23, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s remembrance to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 First Avenue, Columbus 31901 or Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus 31909.  The family expresses its appreciation for caregivers Bridget Winston,  Pearlie Thomas, and the nursing staffs at Spring Harbor and Columbus Hospice.

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