Wayne Douglas Benson passed away in his Henderson, Nev., home during the quiet afternoon hours on Aug. 21, 2025, one week following his 93rd birthday.
Wayne was born in an old farmhouse off of County Highway W in Clifton Township, of Monroe County, on Aug. 13, 1932. He was the only son to parents Ben Lloyd & Luella Benson (Ormson), who had grown up themselves walking those country roads and farming the land.
Wayne attended Rocky Run, a one-room schoolhouse, for grades first through eighth, and where his education grew and lifelong friendships were procured, one in particular, Arlene Burch, 92, who spoke to Wayne just weeks before he passed.
In 1947, Wayne began walking the halls of Kendall High School, where he was known to be seen sporting that handsome blonde hair and always with a friendly smile, recounts his friends, Merlin Hamburg and Darlene Martalock, in their calls to Wayne in his final weeks. During his high school years, he tended to focus more on fun and friendships than on his studies (his words) but earning his diploma, he graduated with the KHS class of 1951.
About a year after graduating, Wayne headed to Lackland Air force Base for basic training in 1952. He was then stationed at Everett Paine in Washington for one year, followed by Narsarsuaq, Greenland, “The Miami of the North,” in 1954 for one year. His final two years were spent at Sewart Air Force Base in Smyrna, Tenn. (25 miles outta Nashville). Jokingly, Wayne referred to it as “his greatest fight, battling the streets of Nashville for two years.”
In 1956, Wayne headed back to his hometown in Wisconsin, where he helped out on the farm and “met up” with many old friends. In 1957, one of those old friends introduced him to Glorine E. Hammon (a 1954 graduate of K.H.S. as well) at the infamous Siebeckers, on Main Street in downtown Kendall. The couple married in a civil ceremony in Lake Forest, at the house of the justice of peace, on April 28, 1958, and lived in downtown Chicago in a quaint apartment during that year.
Wayne was hired as an Air Operations Specialist at United Airlines in 1958 and continued his employment until 1966.
Soon after the arrival of their first baby boy, Eric Wayne Benson in 1959, the couple ventured out to the suburbs, where they settled in Cary, Ill., and had their first house built in the subdivision of Lake Killarney, eventually building again at 6404 Londonderry Drive, where they raised their three children, Eric Wayne, Kevin Mitchell and Amy Jo (and their precious pup, Patches).
During this time, Wayne’s passion for trucks took over, and coincidentally he met Herb Hopkins (“one of the finest people” he ever knew). In 1966, Wayne began working for Herb of H & H Cartage (until Herb sold the company & retired in 1987). Wayne stayed on as a driver for the new owner, John Pasique, “it’s a good day to get those ducks in the water,” until his retirement from truck driving in 1992.
In 1988, after becoming empty nesters, the couple decided to pack it up and head back to their roots in Wisconsin. They bought a house on Main Street in Tomah, Wis., where Glorine opened up an in-house antique shop, “Glory B Tiques.”
Ten years later, in 1999, they opted to go back to the rural country roads off of County A to W, located in Clifton Township, Monroe County, where they built a house on property that Wayne’s parents (Ben Lloyd & Luella) had farmed and lived on since the 1930s. Glorine & Wayne spent 20 years in the beautiful countryside, bird watching, reconnecting with wildlife, Fountain Lutheran Church, family and longtime friends.
Being snowbirds for many years, spending winters in Las Vegas, Nev., where their daughter had moved, after all three children became residents, Wayne and Glorine sold their home and property in Wisconsin in 2021 and moved to Henderson, Nev., full time.
It was possibly quite apropos that Wayne passed on the 21st, as lucky No. 21 was kinda a thing and he was more than ready to “cross over.” Wayne leaves behind his three children, Eric (Jennifer) Benson, Kevin Benson, and Amy Jo Turnbeaugh; three grandchildren, Trista Faith Turnbeaugh, Torri Grace Turnbeaugh and Kyle A. Benson; and one great-grandchild, Parker WAYNE Benson.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 67 years.
A memorial service will be held for both Wayne and Glorine Benson will be at Fountain Lutheran Church, off Church Road, in rural Kendall, Wis., on Saturday, Oct. 4. A fellowship gathering will begin at 10 a.m., with coffee and breakfast bites. The memorial service will begin promptly at 11:11.
Wayne and Glorine will be laid to rest at Fountain Lutheran Church Cemetery in Kendall, Wis.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in honor of Wayne D. Benson and Glorine E. Benson.
