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William Edward “Dick” Benton, 98, died November 11, 2025, at Big Bend Hospice House following a brief illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Hazel Louise Houston Benton; his parents and his six siblings. He is survived by sons Dale Benton (Beth) and Rick; grandchildren Paige McKee (Patrick), Wade Benton (Maclain) and Earl Benton (Miranda); and great-grandsons Carson Benton, Web Benton, Benton McKee, Ralph Benton, Burke McKee and Liam Benton. Dick moved to Tallahassee with his family in 1930 when he was 3 years old. He graduated from Leon High School in 1945, where he was captain of the school’s first state championship baseball team (1944) and was a member of its Baseball Hall of Fame. He entered the US Army at the end of World War II and served in the occupation of Germany. After his military service he returned to Tallahassee and married Hazel in 1948. Two sons were born of the marriage. The family home was on Victory Garden Drive from 1954 until Dick and Hazel moved in 1998 to a home they built on Lake Ellen in Crawfordville, where they lived until Hazel’s death in 2020. For the last 5 years Dick resided at Canterfield Assisted Living in Tallahassee. Dick was a long-time employee of the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, retiring in 1977. Following his retirement, Dick expanded his independent sales business and assisted Hazel for 35 years in providing floral decoration services for over 1,400 weddings and other special occasions in the area. Dick and Hazel had a strong Christian faith and commitment to the Baptist churches where they worshiped, serving in various leadership positions. They were the consummate parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, who supported their family members in all endeavors and generously made their home and resources available to friends in need of support and assistance. Each of them had a positive and infectious disposition which welcomed strangers, friends and family with warmth, affection and good food. They were particularly accepting of young people and treated them with nonjudgmental respect, guidance and support. Many of those young people from decades gone by have been and still are lifelong friends. Dick had a unique and magnetic personality, not to mention a wonderful sense of humor. You knew he was nearby when you could hear his singing and whistling on the street, in the grocery store or in the hallways of his customers. He would greet you with a large smile, hugs and kisses, wearing his trademark red Royal Stewart plaid cap. Then when he and you parted ways he would utter his signature farewell: “See you in the funny paper, page1, full color.” Dick Benton always left smiles on faces of those he encountered. Hazel died during the pandemic and there was no formal memorial service to commemorate her life. As a result, the family will hold a joint memorial service for Dick and Hazel. The family will receive guests and friends on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, Florida. The memorial service will begin in the chapel at 3:00 pm. The service will be livestreamed via Dick’s obituary page. To view Hazel's obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tallahassee/name/hazel-benton-obituary?id=7466489 A private burial will be held prior to the memorial service. The family wishes to extend its appreciation to the caregivers at Canterfield Assisted Living, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Big Bend Hospice for assistance and care rendered to Dick. Papa Dick, we will see you in the funny paper, page 1, full color! Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

William Edward "Dick" Benton

January 7, 1927 - November 11, 2025