William "Bill" L Benson, PhD

Dr. William "Bill" L. Benson passed away on September 9, 2024, at the age of 83. Bill was born to Barbara and Edward Benson on July 8, 1941, in Spokane, Washington. He grew up alongside his younger brother John and several cousins until he left for college in 1959 at Washington State University (WSU). He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in1963 and earned his Ph.D. in 1972.

Growing up, Bill excelled as a scholar, athlete, musician, and dancer with the Silver Spurs dance troupe. At just 15, his dancing took him across the USA and Canada, where he performed various dance forms. This tour was his first opportunity to see the world beyond his hometown and experience diverse cultures, igniting his thirst for knowledge and steering him toward a career in education.

Bill began his teaching career at WSU in 1963, later taking a one-year appointment at Concordia University in Minnesota in 1967. In 1968, he returned to Washington state to join Central Washington University (CWU) as a professor of Sociology, where he served until his retirement as Professor Emeritus in 2000. During his tenure, he taught various Sociology and Business courses, served as Department Chair, Director of Social Science Programs, and Assistant Vice President for Off-Campus Programs. He was instrumental in establishing CWU’s west side extensions, the Tri-Cities graduate center, the Chelan Theater (also known as Laughing Horse Theater), and a language school in China. His teaching and guidance impacted students across CWU locations, and extended as far as Morelia, Mexico, where he taught as part of CWU’s Study Abroad Program. Bill was active in the CWU community, engaging in faculty union activities and supporting CWU performing arts and athletic programs. You could often find him cheering on the Wildcats at Nicholson Pavilion, or in the performance halls across campus.

After retiring from CWU, Bill traded his passion for teaching for a love of golf. He began playing at age 13 while working as a groundskeeper at Esmeralda Golf Course in Spokane, WA. Over the past 70 years, he spent countless hours on golf courses across Washington state and beyond, playing in tournaments and casual games with friends and his brother John. In his later years, he could often be found at the Ellensburg Golf Club, enjoying daily rounds. Golf was a cherished hobby he shared with his three daughters and two grandchildren, and he believed they could achieve greatness on the course, even if talent for the game seemed to skip a generation.

Bill was a modern-day renaissance man, curious about the world and passionate about many pursuits—gardening, travel, politics, cooking, cars, music, and books, to name a few. His children often joked that he should have opened a bookstore or become a librarian, as he loved how books opened the world and recorded history. He could often be found listening to music while immersed in a book, juggling multiple titles at once. His love for reading and music was something he passed on to his children.

His daughters remember him as a kind and generous soul who loved life. Family and friends echoed this sentiment, recalling his smile that lit up a room. Family gatherings were always filled with great food, music, and lively conversation, often accompanied by card games or dance parties. His meat-grilling skills were impressive, and he loved to “cook some pig” on his Weber throughout the seasons, often sneaking samples before the rest of the meal was ready.Bill also enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and vegetables, and would often send pictures of his latest garden successes to family.

While Bill loved many things, his greatest joy and life achievement were his three daughters—Kim, Kelly, and Jody—and his two grandchildren, Ella and Max. He beamed with pride when sharing their stories. Although his children moved away from Ellensburg to pursue their careers, family remained his grounding center, and they stayed connected through Sunday video calls and visits home.

Bill led a full life and leaves a legacy of love, curiosity, generosity, and resilience. While his presence is missed, his spirit and memories will live on in all who knew him. No services are planned at this time; Bill’s family is celebrating his life privately and plans to hold a community celebration in early summer.