William Benson, 52, Escanaba, Michigan

ESCANABA — William Benson, 52, of 605 N. 19th St., Escanaba, passed away Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, at the Veterans Hospital in Iron Mountain.

Bill was born in Escanaba on Jan. 18, 1955, the son of Floyd and Carmen (Duncan) Benson.

He lived in Escanaba until the age of 7 when the family moved to Racine, Wis. He returned to Escanaba in the 1970s. He served his country as a Marine.

He was employed as a loader for the Robinson Furniture Company.

Survivors include his fiance, Patty Chroge of Escanaba, who loved him and his children unconditionally; children, Rose (Bill) St. Cyr, Charlie (Kim) Benson, Ashley (Mike) Benson, Casey (Ian) Benson and William Benson Jr.; grandchildren, Hailey Randall, Ethan Siedlecki, Brendon Siedlecki, Evan Siedlecki and Austin Benson; brothers, Roger (Wanda) Benson, Floyd (Barb) Benson, John Benson, David Benson and Harold (Robin) Benson; and sisters, Carol Moras, Kathy (Dick) Couillard and Barbara Benson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Jane Bougie.

Visitation will be held on Saturday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba from 3 to 5 p.m. with Delta County Veterans Council services at 5 p.m. A message of condolence may be sent to the Benson family at the Web site crawfordfuneral@chartermi.net