Billy Benedict

Billy F. BenedictBilly F. Benedict, 63, of Rollingstone passed away on May 27, 2009 at home with his loving wife, Shirley, at his side after a very courageous battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).Billy was born December 11, 1945, in Winona, MN to Raymond and Shirley (Phillips) Benedict. He was a graduate of Winona Senior High School. He married Mary Olson on September 18, 1965, together they had two children and they later divorced. He enlisted in the US Army and was part of the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles" and served in Vietnam in 1968. On August 31, 1985, he married Shirley Klockeman in Winona. He joined the MN National Guard in 1974 and served with them for 24 years, retiring as a First Sergeant in 1998. He also retired in April 2007 after 29 years with the City of Winona Street Department. Billy was a member of the Leon J. Wetzel American Legion Post 9, the Neville-Lien VFW Post 1287, Winona Eagles 1243, and Winona Elks 327. Because he was a soldier, Billy honorably paid tribute to fellow veterans as an active member of the burial detail unit of the Leon J. Wetzel American Legion Post 9. Billy was a very loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. He always had a smile on his face and always had a positive attitude about everything. Billy enjoyed life to the fullest and always lived for today. He played softball and flag football for the East Side Bar for many years. He enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, and bowling. He was recently elected into the Winona Bowling Association Hall of Fame. His two four-legged companions Kirby and Mattie were always at his side. He also enjoyed feeding and watching the squirrels, deer, turkeys, and various birds out his living room window. He is survived by the love of his life, Shirley; his children, Laura Burt (Rick Wren) of Rockford, MN and Thomas (Karin) of Winona; his four beautiful grandchildren, Eric, Breanna, Derek, and Brady. He is also survived by his mother, Shirley Czaplewski of Winona; his sister, Patricia (Jaime) Rojas of Winona; his brothers, Robert (Tracey), Gerald (Dawn), Raymond (Julie), and Michael (Burnette), all of Winona. He was also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond and his stepfather, Carl Czaplewski.A celebration of Billy's life will be held Monday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service, Hansen Goodview Chapel, with funeral celebrant Douglas Hansen officiating. Friends and family may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 31 and also one hour prior to the service at the Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service, Hansen Goodview Chapel on Monday. The Leon J. Wetzel American Legion Post No. 9 will be providing military honors for Billy on Monday, June 1, at 12 noon at the Veterans Memorial Park near the Vietnam Memorial. The body has been cremated.The family prefers memorials to the Veterans Relief Fund, c/o Winona VFW Club, 208 E. 3Rd Street, Winona, MN 55987 or the Eagles Cancer Telethon, c/o Winona Eagles Club, 210 E. 4th Street, Winona, MN 55987.Please share a memory of Billy with the family, sign his online guest book or view his online video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/71649