William Frank Benford, 71 of Gary, IN and formerly of Terre Haute, passed away Friday March 6, 2015 in Merrillville, IN. He was the eldest son born to Rufus Benford and Rosa Lee Cain on September 23, 1943 in Athens, Alabama.
William attended Lincoln Elementary and Woodrow Wilson Jr. High Schools. He graduated from Garfield High School in 1961. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology while attending Indiana University and Indiana State University. William briefly studied medicine at St. Louis University. He served his country as an Army Military Police Officer during the Vietnam War. William was employed by Innophus in Chicago Heights, Illinois from which he retired after 17 years of service. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Shiloh Baptist Church where he also sang in the choir.
William was married to his beloved wife, Wanda Benford, on March 13, 1989 which represents 26 years as of today. William is survived by three sons and three daughters: Lisa Bonzo (Ken) of St. Peters, Missouri, Brian Benford of Orlando, Florida, Gina Benford of Louisville, Kentucky, Carin Benford of Naples, Florida, Richard Edmonds, Jr. and Corey Edmonds of Gary, Indiana; five grandchildren: Lindsey Schmiehausen (Zach) and BeJan Edmonds whom William fondly referred to as his “Special Granddaughters”, Diamond Benford, Benjamin Benford and Tatiana Benford; six siblings: Dr. Annie B. Duvall of Decatur, Georgia, Billy D. Benford and Larry Benford of Terre Haute, Indiana, James T. Cain, Jr. (Coretta) of Gary, Indiana, A. Lorenzo Cain (Nica) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Candace M. Devaney (Peter) of Lawrenceville, Georgia; two aunts: Mary Norton of Columbus, Ohio and Dorothy Malone of Chicago, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. William was preceded in death by his father, Rufus Benford; his mother, Rosa Lee Cain, and his siblings Rufus O’Neal Benford and Gwendolyn Louise Benford.
Visitation will be Friday March 13, 2015 from 9:00 until 11:00 am in Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 2401 7th Ave. with funeral services starting at 11:00 am in the church with Reverend T. Michael Russell officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery. DeBaun Funeral Homes, Wabash Avenue Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
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William F. Benford
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