Obituary for William "Tiny" John Benker
William John Benker was born on February 27, 1956, St. Lukes Hospital, Denver, Colorado. He passed November 26, 2015.
Bill grew up in South Denver until he was seven years old at which time his Mom and Dad moved into a brand new home in Littleton, CO. Bill’s Elementary, Jr. High and High School days were spent in Littleton where he attended Arapahoe High School. Bill participated and enjoyed playing football, basketball, baseball and track and field. He also was a member of the concert choir and first discovered his love of design and drafting while at Arapahoe HS. He graduated in 1974 and decided to attend a drafting school here in Denver. Upon graduation he started his work career at Storage Technology in 1975. He spent 20 years at Storage Tech where he achieved two U.S. Patents and made numerous friends and met the Love of his life, Gail. He also worked in the Boulder area at two other companies Exabyte and Micro Motion. During his years at Storage Tech, Bill enjoyed country music and became close with a local country band, “Dawson”. This is where the nick name “Tiny” was born that the band members gave him and there are probably more people that know him as “Tiny” rather than Bill.
Bill also enjoyed golf, playing and coaching softball. He also loved the outdoors and went camping and fishing in the mountains as much as he could. He also made too many trips to remember back to Minnesota with family to go to resorts for fishing and fun. He also did many trips with his cousin, Kerry for fishing that was incredible!!! There was one particular camping trip that was his most memorable. Over a campfire one night with everyone sitting and enjoying the fire, Bill proposed to his Love, Gail. I’m pretty sure she said yes. Not only did he get a beautiful wife, but three children! A daughter Karie (Hunter Treter), a son Chris (Hunter) and a son Sean (Sullivan). And now has four grandchildren, Hayden Treter (10), Lauren Treter (7) and Sophia Sullivan (8) and Trevor Sullivan (5). Tiny often said that his and Gail’s wedding was the neatest thing on earth! And hopes that anyone here who attended that wedding thinks so also. He and Gail accomplished their goal of having everyone who came enjoying themselves to the fullest!!!
After 30 years of mechanical design, Tiny got tired of all the ridiculous deadlines and outrageous overtime and decided to leave the engineering field. He chose to work at an Ace Hardware just up the street. He enjoyed meeting and helping all the customers that came to the store. He was made a Manager and worked there for seven years. During that time, the thing he enjoyed most was playing Santa Claus for the store during the Christmas season. After 30 years of sitting at a desk and the seven years of constantly being on his feet, it caught up with him. He retired in March of 2012.
A special note that Tiny asked to be included before he passed…Tiny’s Dad, Elder was in the military, a U.S. Marine during WWII, and Tiny’s son’s Chris and Sean followed suit and became U.S. Marines and I was so proud of all 3 of them. “Semper Fi”.
I had two special dogs, Sparky and Shadow, and a very special wife that loved and comforted me for all my days.
I Love everyone who came today and wish happiness for “Everyone” always.
Eternally,
Bill “Tiny” Benker
Bill grew up in South Denver until he was seven years old at which time his Mom and Dad moved into a brand new home in Littleton, CO. Bill’s Elementary, Jr. High and High School days were spent in Littleton where he attended Arapahoe High School. Bill participated and enjoyed playing football, basketball, baseball and track and field. He also was a member of the concert choir and first discovered his love of design and drafting while at Arapahoe HS. He graduated in 1974 and decided to attend a drafting school here in Denver. Upon graduation he started his work career at Storage Technology in 1975. He spent 20 years at Storage Tech where he achieved two U.S. Patents and made numerous friends and met the Love of his life, Gail. He also worked in the Boulder area at two other companies Exabyte and Micro Motion. During his years at Storage Tech, Bill enjoyed country music and became close with a local country band, “Dawson”. This is where the nick name “Tiny” was born that the band members gave him and there are probably more people that know him as “Tiny” rather than Bill.
Bill also enjoyed golf, playing and coaching softball. He also loved the outdoors and went camping and fishing in the mountains as much as he could. He also made too many trips to remember back to Minnesota with family to go to resorts for fishing and fun. He also did many trips with his cousin, Kerry for fishing that was incredible!!! There was one particular camping trip that was his most memorable. Over a campfire one night with everyone sitting and enjoying the fire, Bill proposed to his Love, Gail. I’m pretty sure she said yes. Not only did he get a beautiful wife, but three children! A daughter Karie (Hunter Treter), a son Chris (Hunter) and a son Sean (Sullivan). And now has four grandchildren, Hayden Treter (10), Lauren Treter (7) and Sophia Sullivan (8) and Trevor Sullivan (5). Tiny often said that his and Gail’s wedding was the neatest thing on earth! And hopes that anyone here who attended that wedding thinks so also. He and Gail accomplished their goal of having everyone who came enjoying themselves to the fullest!!!
After 30 years of mechanical design, Tiny got tired of all the ridiculous deadlines and outrageous overtime and decided to leave the engineering field. He chose to work at an Ace Hardware just up the street. He enjoyed meeting and helping all the customers that came to the store. He was made a Manager and worked there for seven years. During that time, the thing he enjoyed most was playing Santa Claus for the store during the Christmas season. After 30 years of sitting at a desk and the seven years of constantly being on his feet, it caught up with him. He retired in March of 2012.
A special note that Tiny asked to be included before he passed…Tiny’s Dad, Elder was in the military, a U.S. Marine during WWII, and Tiny’s son’s Chris and Sean followed suit and became U.S. Marines and I was so proud of all 3 of them. “Semper Fi”.
I had two special dogs, Sparky and Shadow, and a very special wife that loved and comforted me for all my days.
I Love everyone who came today and wish happiness for “Everyone” always.
Eternally,
Bill “Tiny” Benker
To plant a tree in memory of William "Tiny" John Benker, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Celebration of Life
Friday
11
Dec
1:00 PM
DeWitt and Tabler Funeral Directors, LLC
12114 Grant Circle
Thornton, CO 80241
Reception to follow at the Holiday Inn, 120th and Grant Thornton, Colorado
Memorial Contribution
Wouned Warrior Project
Loading...