Born in Strawn, IL to Albert and Anna Rudolph Benway, he died in Gibson City, IL.


Birth: 16 Apr 1916, Strawn, Livingston, IL
Death: 1 Sep 2005, Gibson City, Ford, IL
Burial: 5 Sep 2005, St. Rose Ceme, Strawn, Livingston, IL
Occupation: Farmer


STRAWN -- William M. Benway, 89, of Strawn died at 4:45 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 1, 2005) at the Gibson area Hospital Annex in Gibson City.
His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Rose Catholic Church in Strawn, with Father Carl LoPresti officiating. Burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery in Strawn. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Lamb Funeral Home in Gibson City.
Mr. Benway was born April 16, 1916, in Strawn, a son of Albert and Anna Rudolph Benway. He married Thelma E. Seifert on Feb. 22, 1944, in Gibson City. She died Sept. 11, 1998.
Surviving are three daughters, Karen (Jim) Habb of Country Estates, Bloomington; Diane Lewis of Novi, Mich.; and Sandy (Tim) Bradford of Apollo Acres, Bloomington; six grandchildren, Jeff Haab and Todd Haab of Normal; Robin Wade of Gibson City; Renee Tjarks of Sibley; Ramie Wade of Champaign; and Nicole Vetter of Novi, Mich.; six great-grandchildren, Dalton and Dallas Beebe of Gibson City; Noah and Alyssa Tjarks of Sibley; Jolie Wade of Champagin; and Kaley Haab of Bloomington; three brothers, Paul Benway of Anchor; Weldon (Betty) Benway of Strawn; and Keith (Sharon) Benway of Sibley; one sister, Ann Rebholz of Chatsworth; and one sister-in-law, Laverda Benway of Gibson City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter and son-in-law, Sharen and Ernie Wade; one grandson, Chad Tjarks; five sisters; and two brothers.
Mr. Benway lived all his life in Strawn except the past 6 1/2 years at the Gibson Area Hospital Annex in Gibson City. He farmed all his life and was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Strawn. He enjoyed telling jokes, playing cards, harness racing and dancing.
Memorials may be made to the Gibson Annex Kitchen Fund or to the Gibson City Hospice Program.