William Thomas Benke, of Summerville, SC known by his friends as Bill
Born, September 26, 1934 in Charleston, SC
Died, January 8, 2019, unexpectedly
Funeral Service,
Stuhr's West Ashley Funeral Home Chapel, led by Pastor David Ridley
Interment,
Live Oak Memorial Garden
Son Of,
Mary Belle Hutto Benke and Robert Anthony Benke.
Predeceased by,
Beloved wife,
Charlene Priebe Benke, in 2003
Predeceased by,
Brother, Robert Anthony Benke, Jr.
Sister, Barbara Benke Smith.
Survived by,
Brother,
David Ray Benke
Although Bill did not have children of his own, he had many nieces and nephews, extended family, and close friends that loved him and will miss him dearly.
Bill attended James Simmons Elementary School and graduated from Rivers High School.
Bill was a very talented athlete from a young age and often spoke of "growing up" on the Hampton Park Playground. He excelled in many track and field sports, football, and basketball. He was awarded a basketball scholarship at the College of Charleston where he excelled and served as co-captain of the team with his close friend for life, Raymond Smith. Bill graduated from the College with a BA degree in history in 1956.
Bill held several jobs, including the National Park Service, Redisco Finance Company, and Chrysler Finance Company, before starting a long and successful career with Broyhill Industries as a furniture sales representative. At Broyhill, he was honored with many awards, and received the National Sales Representative of the Year four years in a row. His humor and ability to make conversation and close friendships with anyone he met served him well throughout his career. He was a natural born story teller, and delighted in turning everyday frustrations into hilarious and embellished yarns, which became funnier and more animated each time he told them.
Member of the Pittman Street Baptist Church in North Charleston and a Bible reader of many Gideon Bibles in his travels as a salesman. His favorite verses were Phillipians 4:4-6.
Source, Charleston Post & Courier on Jan. 11, 2019
Born, September 26, 1934 in Charleston, SC
Died, January 8, 2019, unexpectedly
Funeral Service,
Stuhr's West Ashley Funeral Home Chapel, led by Pastor David Ridley
Interment,
Live Oak Memorial Garden
Son Of,
Mary Belle Hutto Benke and Robert Anthony Benke.
Predeceased by,
Beloved wife,
Charlene Priebe Benke, in 2003
Predeceased by,
Brother, Robert Anthony Benke, Jr.
Sister, Barbara Benke Smith.
Survived by,
Brother,
David Ray Benke
Although Bill did not have children of his own, he had many nieces and nephews, extended family, and close friends that loved him and will miss him dearly.
Bill attended James Simmons Elementary School and graduated from Rivers High School.
Bill was a very talented athlete from a young age and often spoke of "growing up" on the Hampton Park Playground. He excelled in many track and field sports, football, and basketball. He was awarded a basketball scholarship at the College of Charleston where he excelled and served as co-captain of the team with his close friend for life, Raymond Smith. Bill graduated from the College with a BA degree in history in 1956.
Bill held several jobs, including the National Park Service, Redisco Finance Company, and Chrysler Finance Company, before starting a long and successful career with Broyhill Industries as a furniture sales representative. At Broyhill, he was honored with many awards, and received the National Sales Representative of the Year four years in a row. His humor and ability to make conversation and close friendships with anyone he met served him well throughout his career. He was a natural born story teller, and delighted in turning everyday frustrations into hilarious and embellished yarns, which became funnier and more animated each time he told them.
Member of the Pittman Street Baptist Church in North Charleston and a Bible reader of many Gideon Bibles in his travels as a salesman. His favorite verses were Phillipians 4:4-6.
Source, Charleston Post & Courier on Jan. 11, 2019
William Thomas Benke, of Summerville, SC known by his friends as Bill
Born, September 26, 1934 in Charleston, SC
Died, January 8, 2019, unexpectedly
Funeral Service,
Stuhr's West Ashley Funeral Home Chapel, led by Pastor David Ridley
Interment,
Live Oak Memorial Garden
Son Of,
Mary Belle Hutto Benke and Robert Anthony Benke.
Predeceased by,
Beloved wife,
Charlene Priebe Benke, in 2003
Predeceased by,
Brother, Robert Anthony Benke, Jr.
Sister, Barbara Benke Smith.
Survived by,
Brother,
David Ray Benke
Although Bill did not have children of his own, he had many nieces and nephews, extended family, and close friends that loved him and will miss him dearly.
Bill attended James Simmons Elementary School and graduated from Rivers High School.
Bill was a very talented athlete from a young age and often spoke of "growing up" on the Hampton Park Playground. He excelled in many track and field sports, football, and basketball. He was awarded a basketball scholarship at the College of Charleston where he excelled and served as co-captain of the team with his close friend for life, Raymond Smith. Bill graduated from the College with a BA degree in history in 1956.
Bill held several jobs, including the National Park Service, Redisco Finance Company, and Chrysler Finance Company, before starting a long and successful career with Broyhill Industries as a furniture sales representative. At Broyhill, he was honored with many awards, and received the National Sales Representative of the Year four years in a row. His humor and ability to make conversation and close friendships with anyone he met served him well throughout his career. He was a natural born story teller, and delighted in turning everyday frustrations into hilarious and embellished yarns, which became funnier and more animated each time he told them.
Member of the Pittman Street Baptist Church in North Charleston and a Bible reader of many Gideon Bibles in his travels as a salesman. His favorite verses were Phillipians 4:4-6.
Source, Charleston Post & Courier on Jan. 11, 2019
Born, September 26, 1934 in Charleston, SC
Died, January 8, 2019, unexpectedly
Funeral Service,
Stuhr's West Ashley Funeral Home Chapel, led by Pastor David Ridley
Interment,
Live Oak Memorial Garden
Son Of,
Mary Belle Hutto Benke and Robert Anthony Benke.
Predeceased by,
Beloved wife,
Charlene Priebe Benke, in 2003
Predeceased by,
Brother, Robert Anthony Benke, Jr.
Sister, Barbara Benke Smith.
Survived by,
Brother,
David Ray Benke
Although Bill did not have children of his own, he had many nieces and nephews, extended family, and close friends that loved him and will miss him dearly.
Bill attended James Simmons Elementary School and graduated from Rivers High School.
Bill was a very talented athlete from a young age and often spoke of "growing up" on the Hampton Park Playground. He excelled in many track and field sports, football, and basketball. He was awarded a basketball scholarship at the College of Charleston where he excelled and served as co-captain of the team with his close friend for life, Raymond Smith. Bill graduated from the College with a BA degree in history in 1956.
Bill held several jobs, including the National Park Service, Redisco Finance Company, and Chrysler Finance Company, before starting a long and successful career with Broyhill Industries as a furniture sales representative. At Broyhill, he was honored with many awards, and received the National Sales Representative of the Year four years in a row. His humor and ability to make conversation and close friendships with anyone he met served him well throughout his career. He was a natural born story teller, and delighted in turning everyday frustrations into hilarious and embellished yarns, which became funnier and more animated each time he told them.
Member of the Pittman Street Baptist Church in North Charleston and a Bible reader of many Gideon Bibles in his travels as a salesman. His favorite verses were Phillipians 4:4-6.
Source, Charleston Post & Courier on Jan. 11, 2019
Gravesite Details
He has NO DATE of death inscribed on marker. He shares marker with his wife, Charlene P. Benke. Mary Bell Hutto Benke is interred in adjoining plot.
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