Mr William Nash Benson's Obituary
William Nash Benson, 71, of Memphis, TN, died June 21, 2020, in the care of the Baptist Reynolds’s Hospice House after living with cancer and Lewy Body Dementia. He was born April 17, 1949, in Gainesville, FL. After moving to Memphis in the early 1970s, Bill embraced the historic neighborhoods of midtown and enjoyed supporting community events, such as Memphis in May and the early renovation efforts of the Orpheum. He used his training as an accountant and CPA to begin a career in property management and eventually the retail liquor business. Bill enjoyed the challenges of each but more so the friendships he built in the process.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Scott Benson and Dudley Woodrow Benson. He is survived by his wife, Melissa Miller-Benson; his children William and Chalmers; brothers Woody Benson (Tena) of Milwaukee, WI, Scott Benson (Lois) of Pensacola, FL, and Ben Benson (Janis) of Sierra Vista, AZ; sisters-in-law Michelle Miller Hulett (Joel) of Pace, FL, Lauren Miller Utterback (Chuck) of Collierville, TN, and Sandy Harding Benson of Memphis, TN; nieces and nephews including Emily Benson, Lizzie Benson, Gabe Benson, Holly Benson, Megan Pratt, Ali Watson, Robin Saidov, Katie Hulett, Jonathan Hulett, Miller Utterback; 10 great nieces and nephews; and a host of well-loved cousins and friends.
Arrangements for a celebration of Bill’s life will be made at a later date. Bill will be remembered for his eternal optimism and kindness, as well as his love for his family and friends. As James Whitcomb Riley wrote, “Who lives for you and me-- / Lives for the world he tries / To help--he lives eternally. / A good man never dies.”
Special appreciation is extended to Schilling Gardens Assisted Living and to the Baptist Reynolds’s Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the following: Lewy Body Dementia Association, Baptist Reynolds’s Hospice House, Collierville, TN, or to the Bill and Melissa Benson Endowed Scholarship at Saint Louis University.
Until a celebration of Bill’s life can be held, a remembrance page has been set up in his honor. Use the following link to share photos, memories, or stories of Bill: https://www.jotform.com/build/201738510553047
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