William Benham

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1. William Ray Bill Benham passed away peacefully at the Promise Hospital in Baton Rouge at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, following a courageous battle with several lengthy health issues. His graveside funeral took place at Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum, where he was later laid to rest. The service was officiated by Dr. Juliet Spencer, pastor of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church, where Bill was a charter member. Bill was born in Beaumont, Texas, on March 29, 1939. His formative years were spent in Westlake, where he attended elementary through high school. While in high school, Bill played four years of varsity football as starting quarterback for his team. He also enjoyed playing on his high school baseball team. his senior year in high school he received the state history awardthe Woodman of the World. He graduated fourth in his high school class in 1957. Bill was an avid reader and historian all his life. He enjoyed visiting battlefields and ships throughout the United States, reading accounts of the past world wars and the events which led to them, as well as the people involved. Along with his love of reading history and watching the History Channel on TV, Bill also had a devout love for sports, especially football games played by LSU and the Saints. However, beginning in 1983, his real love became his 37foot sailboat, and sailing the Gulf of Mexico for more than 20 years. The boat was named The Answer and it definitely was for Bill. A great family man, husband, father and grandfather, Bill also loved his dogs, Allee, Maxi and Noah. Bill worked hard all of his life and admired and respected others who did the same. Upon his high school graduation, he entered McNeese State College for a brief period, and transferred to USL in Lafayette before spending his last two years studying electrical engineering at LSU in Baton Rouge. He received his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1961. Following his graduation from college, he worked for several different companies in such states as California, Florida and Texas, before returning to Louisiana. In 1962, Bill decided to move to New Orleans to further his education, where he planned to pursue a masters degree in electrical engineering. However, the study of law caught his eye and Benham, William Ray Bill study of law caught his eye and he enrolled in Loyola Law School, earning 30 credit hours before deciding to return to LSU, where he earned his masters in electrical engineering in 1968. In 1972, after being employed by several companies, Bill decided to form his own company. He became an entrepreneur, as owner and president of Louisiana Telephone Co. Inc. This company became homebased in Breaux Bridge, with its main office on Berard St. It was an electrical contracting and communication company, a service company that worked in the field and throughout the Gulf of Mexico for several prominent oil companies, including Exxon. The company operated in the Gulf for 40 years. In 2002, he and a partner formed another very successful company, Data Technology Solutions, which is also home based in Breaux Bridge, and which offers similar services to that of Louisiana Telephone Co. Inc. Bill retired from this company in 2011 for health reasons. A man dedicated to his work, he will always be remembered as a mans man. He was a shining example of the word hero to all who knew him. His attitude and unparalleled grace throughout his last years of health battles with its side effects has been an inspiration to all who knew and loved him. His amazing perseverance and indomitable spirit will never be forgotten. Bill remained positive until the end, which was a blessing to all those he loved. He is survived by his college sweetheart and wife of 50 years, Judith Day Benham two sons, William Barton Bart Benham and his wife, Cheri, of Baton Rouge, and James R. Jim Bingham and wife Diane, of Navarre, Fla. two grandsons, James Aubrey Benham, of Baton Rouge, and William Mitchell Benham, of Covington, a sister, Doris Babb, of Portland, Ore two brothers, R.E. Mick Benham, of Westlake, and James Benham and wife Dottie, of Scottsdale, Ariz. as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reginald Edward Benham Sr. and Bertha Templeton Babb Benham two brothers, Robert Babb and John L. Babb and a sister, Beverly Babb Hauskins. There were several mentors and close friends in his life, W.P. Hauskins, M.V. Windham, Lewis Dutel, Arnold Watson and Vernon Sanderford. Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or any animal humane society. Special thanks to the nurses and staff and the primary doctor, Dr. Shah. Very special thanks to his dedicated and devoted caretaker and friend, Mona Boley.

Service

Graveside Service

Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum Chapel
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Friday, February 24, 2012
11 am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816

Memorial Contributions