William E. Bender, Sr.

William E. Bender, Sr. 92, of Cumru Township, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 6:38 am at Phoebe Berks Health Care Center.  He was the son of the late Edward J. and Edith M. (Moyer) Bender.  Bill was married for 37 years to Patricia Ann (Huber) Bender until her death on August 23, 1992.  He is survived by his son- William E. Bender, Jr. of Sinking Spring and his daughter Kathleen E. Benevit wife of Carl Benevit of Whitehall.  Bill graduated from Allentown High School and attended Muhlenberg College before entering the Army in 1952, serving stateside during the Korean War.  During his two year stint he attained the rank of Staff Sgt. and was proud of his military service.  In 1955 he embarked on a successful career in sales and marketing with Bell Telephone/Verizon.  His positions with Bell took him from his hometown to the Harrisburg area and then Berks County where he lived since 1968. Bill was a long time member of New Life Ministries (St. Luke’s ECC, Shillington).  In retirement Bill did some traveling and enjoyed spending time with his children, friends and neighbors especially C. Merrill and Helen Brown and spent many years volunteering at Green Hills Assisted Living.   He looked forward to his monthly “Mystery Lunch Excursions” with Brownie, Curt Rapp and Bill Rowe, as well as his monthly luncheons with the Bell Telephone/Verizon retirees.  A handyman around the house, Bill was a loyal, helpful neighbor and a devoted son, husband and father.

Funeral Service will be held at Bean Funeral Home 129 East Lancaster Ave. Shillington Monday July 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm.  Interment will be held privately at Berks County Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive relatives and friends at Bean Funeral Home Monday from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to American Cancer Society PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741 in memory of Mr. William E. Bender, Sr.  Online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com