OCEAN RIDGE — William Andrew Benton of Ocean Ridge and Morristown, N.J., died on Feb. 14 in Boynton Beach. He was 86. Mr. Benton was born Jan. 21, 1933, in South Orange, N.J. He attended high school at Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1958 following two years of Army service during which he was stationed in California in a bomb disposal unit.
While at Bucknell, Mr. Benton was a standout wrestler, serving as captain of the wrestling team. His accomplishments on the mat resulted in his induction into the Bucknell Athletic Hall of Fame and later into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
After graduation, Mr. Benton began his career as a member of the New York Stock Exchange until his retirement in 1990. He served the town of Madison, N.J., as a councilman and was a member of the board of the Madison YMCA.
He continued his service in Florida as a supporter of Bethesda Hospital and the Palm Beach Habilitation Center.
Mr. Benton was well-known for the size and strength of his hands, which he used both to rip Manhattan phone books in half and to make beautiful jewelry and stained glass creations that graced his home and the homes of family and friends. He also enjoyed boating, fishing and spending time with his loved ones.
Mr. Benton was preceded in death in 2014 by his beloved wife, Marilee (Lee) Fuller Benton, after 59 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his parents, Thomas Henry and Mary Zimmerman Benton, his brother, Clark, and his sister, Elnora.
He is survived by his children: Jeff and Wendy Benton of Madison, N.J.; Karen and Tom Crawley of Sea Girt, N.J.; Tim Benton of Greer, S.C.; Marge Williams of Anderson, S.C.; and Gary and Ann Benton of Madison, N.J. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life was held Feb. 20 at The Little Club in Gulf Stream. A second celebration will be held at a later date in New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at giving.mskcc.org.
— Obituary submitted by the family
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