William James Benner

William James Benner, a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, proud Veteran, left this life on February 23, 2008. Bill was 85. Bill served his country during WWII from 1942 to 1945 as a USMC Corporal. He served on the USS Princeton which was sunk by enemy fire. Bill often shared with his family memories of being blown overboard and floating in shark infested waters for several hours until aid arrived. In 1946 Bill began his working career at Nagles Electroplate as a metal finisher until 1953. He spent the next 32 years at Haughton Elevator Company where he was employed as a foreman. Bill retired in 1985. Bills passions included pitching baseball and softball most of his life. He pitched for Babcock Dairy, various teams in Michigan and for the Marine Corps. Bill was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada and Michigan with his family, co-workers and life-long buddy Fritz Sager. Bill was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, as well as a member of the American Legion, Conn-Weissenberger Post. Bill is predeceased by his wife, Irene; mother and father, Augusta and William; brothers and sisters, Chet, Vernon, Dan, Jim, Helen, Ruth Pawlak, Margaret Young, and Mary Pifer. He is survived by son, William R.; daughter, Patrice Tom Dick; sisters, Dorcus Culling, Ernestine Greanya, Jo Ann Boyd; sister-in-law, Eleanor Benner; granddaughter, Emily and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 9 PM at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10 AM. Burial will be held at Toledo Memorial Park. The family suggests contributions to St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 428 N. Erie St., Toledo, OH 43604.