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Mr. William “Bill” Harding Benson, 91, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 at his home at Terra Bella Lake Norman, a senior living center in Mooresville.

He was born Jan. 28, 1932 in Davie County to the late Felix Kimbrough and Jane Izabelle Thomason Benson, and was the last of 12 children to survive. Bill played football for Mocksville High School and had been president of the student body.  He continued his role in student government while attending Appalachian State University where in his senior year he, once again, served as president of the student body. After graduation, he married the love of his life, Nancy.  Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Annapolis, Md., and later served on the U.S.S. Northampton out of Norfolk, Va. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he taught one year of school in Anne Arundel County, Md.  In 1959, he joined Thurston Motor Lines in Charlotte as their safety and training director. Four years later, Bill joined Belk Stores where he became general credit manager for their more than 400 stores, and retired in 1994. While with Belk, he was involved in many civic activities which included president of Credit Managers Association of Greater Charlotte.  Bill and his family were very active at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church for many years; activities there included president of the men’s club, superintendent of church school, Sunday school teacher, and lay leader.  Bill was a Third-Degree Master Mason of Mint Hill Lodge #742 A.F. & A.M. After many years in the Hickory Grove area, the Benson’s moved to the University City area and were active members of University City United Methodist Church from 1992 to 2019, when they moved to a retirement center in Mooresville. While living in the Davis Lake neighborhood, Bill was president of the Home Owners Association and served as head judge in his precinct, with the Board of Elections.

Survivors include: his wife of 67 years, Nancy Latham Benson; children, Barbara Jean York (Tad Herrin) of Huntersville and Samuel Kimbrough Benson (Stephanie) of Waynesville; grandsons, Latham York (Taylor), Christian York, and Jett Benson; and a great-granddaughter, Ocie York.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 6 at Lambert Funeral Chapel, Mocksville, with Chaplain Jonathan Allen officiating. The service is available to view on the funeral home website.The family invites friends to come by the funeral home one hour prior to the service to pay their respects.

Interment will follow in Rose Cemetery, Mocksville.

The family would like to thank the staff of VIA Health Partners, staff of Terra Bella, Lake Norman, and Holly Dudzic of Senior Helpers for their many acts of kindness.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to VIA Health Partners, P.O. Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247.

Online condolences: www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com.