Obituary: Lawrence William Benson

Lawrence William Benson, 72, of Washington Island, WI, died May 1, 2016.

He was born in Alexandria, VA. on November 16, 1943 to his beloved (predeceased) parents Henny Malvina Henning and Henry Benson. He is survived by his wife, Donna, daughter Tracy (Joanna) Benson (Oakland, CA), and brother, Donald Benson, (Washington Island, WI), nephew Adam (Linnea) Benson (Minneapolis, MN), niece Prisca (Scott) Benson-Fittshur (Sturgeon Bay, WI), along with his foster siblings Clyde Johnson (Manistique, MI), Hazel Kline (Naperville, IL). He was predeceased by sister-in-law MaryLee Benson, and foster-family parents, Ellen and Sig Johnson.

“Bill” graduated from University of Illinois in 1966 and continued on to build a sales leadership career in the paper industry for more than 35 years where he retired from Wausau Paper, Wausau, Wisconsin in 2008.

Bill first encountered the love of his life, Donna Jean Wiberg, while in college – and what started as their first date at the popular play “The Owl and the Pussycat” began the rest of their life’s journey wedded together for more than 42 years. Their lifelong partnership raised daughter, Tracy Benson, of Oakland, California. Bill’s beautiful soul, spirit, love, and heart-filled gifts will live on with them forever.

His unending passion for history, and cultural curiosity led to decades of travel around the world from the Artic to the ballooning skies of Turkey, and back to his childhood memories of Öland, Sweden. His appreciation and gratitude for the outdoors ultimately led he and Donna to Washington Island, Wisconsin where they have built a strong community, and created a forever home upon his retirement in 2011. Most recently, his passion for sailing, fishing, the lakes and protected land brought him joy as he greeted visitors to Rock Island State Park in the summer, and spent countless hours crating each acre of their beautiful home estate and stunning land.

Bill’s generosity, big smiles, and his love for others enriched the lives of all those who knew him for a lifetime – or for 15 minutes; his gifts to us will always remain and touch the lives of so many.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, May 11th, 10-11am, Service 11-12pm, and Graveside Committal 12:30pm immediately followed by a celebration of his life at 1pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Washington Island, Wisconsin, 54246. Memorials may be made in his name (“Bill Benson”) to the Door County Land Trust online or by mail at PO Box 65, Sturgeon Bay, WI. 54235 or the Washington Island Foundation to continue on his love for the protected outdoors and land he cherished on Washington Island.