In loving memory of William Michael Benzi 1942 – 2026

William Michael Benzi, widely known as Bill, of Hastings, Florida, passed away on June 30th, 2026.

Born in 1942 in Guilford, Connecticut, to the late Arthur Dominic Benzi and Mary Natowich Benzi, Bill grew up in a household with five siblings. He called Guilford home until he answered the call to serve his country in 1960. He went on to dedicate twenty years of his life to the United States Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant (E-7). Throughout his distinguished career, which concluded at HQ 436 MAW (MAC) at Dover Air Force Base, he served as an Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent. His technical expertise, particularly on the C-5 and C-141 aircraft, was matched only by the honor with which he carried out his duties.

His dedication earned him numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (with eight devices), and the Vietnam Service Medal, among many other honors. Beyond his technical skills, he was a leader who completed his training at the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, always ensuring those under his command were well prepared and cared for.

Following his honorable service, Bill worked as a maintenance supervisor at a Hampton Inn in Virginia. His life took him to various places, including time spent in Charlottesville, Virginia and later, Florida. In his younger years, he was an adventurous spirit who enjoyed flying his own Cessna and riding his Vespa. In his early retirement, he enjoyed boating and fishing, while in his later years, he became a dedicated homebody, finding contentment in gardening and taking pride in building and fixing everything around the home himself – there was never a need for hired help where Bill was concerned.

Bill was kind, generous, and truly a good man. He once built his own home from the ground up, putting his blood, sweat and tears into it for his family. That was the kind of man he was. In his later years, he remodeled his Florida home, giving it a cozy cottage feel that he and his wife enjoyed while Bill took up bread and pizza dough making, quickly becoming so proficient that his baking could rival any five-star restaurant. His homemade pizza sauce (or occasionally his legendary spaghetti sauce), simmering on the stove, would fill the entire house with the unmistakable aroma of a traditional Italian Pizzeria.

He had such compassion for animals, rescuing eight orphaned piglets. He built their huts and fences himself and together with his wife, Diane, he cared for them, never missing a morning or evening to throw them peanuts – a routine he maintained until shortly before his passing. Even when he wasn’t feeling well, his industrious spirit never wavered; he kept doing whatever he could and never complained.

Bill had two children from a previous marriage who he loved dearly, William Michael Benzi from Delaware and Wendy Michelle Mattison from Georgia.

Bill is preceded in death by his brothers Arthur, Ronald, and John Benzi and his sister Betsy Heery. He leaves behind his loving wife, Diane Benzi, son William “Mike” Michael Benzi (Yvonne), daughter Wendy Michelle Mattison, Grandchildren Michael Mattison, Ashley Thompson (Jeff), Sarah Jones (Jeff), and Matthew Cathell (Amy). Great Grandchildren: Jeffrey Jr., Grace, Maci, and Savannah, Sister Mary Ann (Benzi) Bippus of Maryland and many, many loved nieces and nephews as well as eight grateful pigs.