1928
Wilbur
2021
Wilbur Francis Benskin Sr
February 2, 1928 — January 22, 2021
Wilbur F. Benskin (Bill) was born on February 2, 1928 to Delbert Charles Benskin, Sr. and Juanita Bernice (Siegel) Benskin in Bremerton, WA
Bill attended Kitsap County schools. At Bremerton High he was active in Key to Life club, a Christian Youth organization that raised funds for school assemblies. He was Student Council Rep. He also attended Northwest Bible College.
Early days he attended Salvation Army with his family. Later he became a member of the Assemblies of God churches in Bremerton and Port Orchard. He was a leader in Sunday school, Royal Rangers boys club, Youth for Christ programs, and always faithful with time and tithe. Musically inclined, he played the coronet in church bands, often featured soloist. Bill also enjoyed singing in choirs, duets, and quartets; often accompanied by his younger brother, Bud on guitar, and youngest sister Anita on piano. On occasion sang with quartet on local radio broadcast.
He worked for Bert Danielson Construction as a laborer. Learning carpentry skills from Bert and his father, he built two family homes; and helped others on construction projects.
He served in the United States Army post WW II for one year in 1946/47, trained as a corpsman.
Hobbies included raising rabbits and beef, deer hunting, making bread varieties (learned from his brother, George, a baker). He played amateur league baseball at Roosevelt Field in Bremerton, pitcher position, where he was spotted by a talent scout. He was a bowman at Kitsap Archery Range, (KBH) participating in many contests and archery competitions. He enjoyed square dancing with Virginia and son Dan.
He worked for the City of Bremerton in the Water Department retiring after 30 years. Also worked for PSNS for 10 years, where he earned numerous superior and outstanding performance awards from Shops 72 & 71.
He married Virginia Lloyd in 1978 in a home they built in Belfair, WA. They enjoyed traveling together on an Alaskan cruise and several tour bus trips across the states. An avid gardener all of his life, a skill learned from his father, and shared by Virginia and daughter Gloria. For many years contributed to the local food banks; and served by collecting “day-old” bread and pastries and delivering to community help line, churches and outreach programs.
When grandkids visited—always a trip to the garden to pull carrots and wash off for a tasty treat. In the fall sometimes we received a pumpkin, zucchini or squash, tomatoes or raspberries. Spring brought a lilac bouquet. Virginia and Bill were recognized with a “good neighbor” award from the Kitsap Sun for their lawn and yard beautification project. (Flower beds, rock wall, new lawn, pathway to porch, garden etc. Tons of weeding and pruning!)
Wilbur passed away on January 22, 2021 while a resident of Stafford at Belmont in Bremerton.
Sons: Wilbur F. Benskin, Jr. of Tacoma, Michael Benskin of Port Orchard, and step-son Daniel Dean of Port Orchard; daughters: Sandi Peters of Bremerton, Pam Woodell of Port Orchard, Sheila Amos of Bothell, Juanita Hobbs of Federal Heights, CO, and step-daughter Gloria Breed of Poulsbo
19 Grandchildren: Jeffery, Thomas, Christopher, Daniel, Hillary, Gavin, Elyse, Woodrow, Johanna, Sarah, Gary, Buddy, Peter, Leah, Antone, Justin, Derek, Natasha, Travis
29 Great-Grandchildren: Connor, Casey, Alison Ruth, Grant, Mason, Emma, Cohen, Reece, Haley, Juliana, Alexia, Finnegan, Khalea, Brayden, Samara, Silas, Amelia, Logan, Madison, Gabriel, Lily, Sophie, Tanner, Mason, Jillian, Bradley, Connor, Jack, Erin
Preceded in death by his first wife of 29 years, Wanda E. (Redburn) Benskin, Siblings: Ida Mae Benskin, Clarence Benskin, George Benskin, Nellie Danielson, Dorothy Anderson, Naomi Schaum, Evelyn Barker
He is survived by his wife Virginia of 42 years, a brother Delbert Charles (Bud) Benskin, Jr. of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, and a sister Anita Buchanan of Gig Harbor, WA
His longevity is attributed to keeping active, organic gardening and his love for Virginia. He is celebrating his 93rd birthday in heaven with those who have gone ahead. Our family hopes you have a “good” memory of a visit with Bill.
Bill attended Kitsap County schools. At Bremerton High he was active in Key to Life club, a Christian Youth organization that raised funds for school assemblies. He was Student Council Rep. He also attended Northwest Bible College.
Early days he attended Salvation Army with his family. Later he became a member of the Assemblies of God churches in Bremerton and Port Orchard. He was a leader in Sunday school, Royal Rangers boys club, Youth for Christ programs, and always faithful with time and tithe. Musically inclined, he played the coronet in church bands, often featured soloist. Bill also enjoyed singing in choirs, duets, and quartets; often accompanied by his younger brother, Bud on guitar, and youngest sister Anita on piano. On occasion sang with quartet on local radio broadcast.
He worked for Bert Danielson Construction as a laborer. Learning carpentry skills from Bert and his father, he built two family homes; and helped others on construction projects.
He served in the United States Army post WW II for one year in 1946/47, trained as a corpsman.
Hobbies included raising rabbits and beef, deer hunting, making bread varieties (learned from his brother, George, a baker). He played amateur league baseball at Roosevelt Field in Bremerton, pitcher position, where he was spotted by a talent scout. He was a bowman at Kitsap Archery Range, (KBH) participating in many contests and archery competitions. He enjoyed square dancing with Virginia and son Dan.
He worked for the City of Bremerton in the Water Department retiring after 30 years. Also worked for PSNS for 10 years, where he earned numerous superior and outstanding performance awards from Shops 72 & 71.
He married Virginia Lloyd in 1978 in a home they built in Belfair, WA. They enjoyed traveling together on an Alaskan cruise and several tour bus trips across the states. An avid gardener all of his life, a skill learned from his father, and shared by Virginia and daughter Gloria. For many years contributed to the local food banks; and served by collecting “day-old” bread and pastries and delivering to community help line, churches and outreach programs.
When grandkids visited—always a trip to the garden to pull carrots and wash off for a tasty treat. In the fall sometimes we received a pumpkin, zucchini or squash, tomatoes or raspberries. Spring brought a lilac bouquet. Virginia and Bill were recognized with a “good neighbor” award from the Kitsap Sun for their lawn and yard beautification project. (Flower beds, rock wall, new lawn, pathway to porch, garden etc. Tons of weeding and pruning!)
Wilbur passed away on January 22, 2021 while a resident of Stafford at Belmont in Bremerton.
Sons: Wilbur F. Benskin, Jr. of Tacoma, Michael Benskin of Port Orchard, and step-son Daniel Dean of Port Orchard; daughters: Sandi Peters of Bremerton, Pam Woodell of Port Orchard, Sheila Amos of Bothell, Juanita Hobbs of Federal Heights, CO, and step-daughter Gloria Breed of Poulsbo
19 Grandchildren: Jeffery, Thomas, Christopher, Daniel, Hillary, Gavin, Elyse, Woodrow, Johanna, Sarah, Gary, Buddy, Peter, Leah, Antone, Justin, Derek, Natasha, Travis
29 Great-Grandchildren: Connor, Casey, Alison Ruth, Grant, Mason, Emma, Cohen, Reece, Haley, Juliana, Alexia, Finnegan, Khalea, Brayden, Samara, Silas, Amelia, Logan, Madison, Gabriel, Lily, Sophie, Tanner, Mason, Jillian, Bradley, Connor, Jack, Erin
Preceded in death by his first wife of 29 years, Wanda E. (Redburn) Benskin, Siblings: Ida Mae Benskin, Clarence Benskin, George Benskin, Nellie Danielson, Dorothy Anderson, Naomi Schaum, Evelyn Barker
He is survived by his wife Virginia of 42 years, a brother Delbert Charles (Bud) Benskin, Jr. of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, and a sister Anita Buchanan of Gig Harbor, WA
His longevity is attributed to keeping active, organic gardening and his love for Virginia. He is celebrating his 93rd birthday in heaven with those who have gone ahead. Our family hopes you have a “good” memory of a visit with Bill.
To order memorial trees in memory of Wilbur Francis Benskin Sr, please visit our tree store.
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