Bill Explains How To Be Bionic

by Roxanne on February 20, 2009

Here is a video interview Roxanne (daughter #2) did with Bill a year ago – it really captures our dad’s philosophy on life! You can read the original comments here or scroll down and leave one here yourself. (He never liked this hat by the way!)

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{ 26 comments }

1 Jake 02.20.09 at 1:27 pm

Roxy my heart goes out to you at this time. This video was very touching and wise. I can always use the reminder that life is best lived by maintaining a positive attitude. I love how he speaks of having the most value in “loyal friends” and “love of friends and family.” We love you Roxy and hope that you can find aloha during this time.

2 Patty Hartwell 02.20.09 at 2:52 pm

What a wonderful wonderful man. He could not be more wise – love of family and friends, loyal friends, positive attitude – these are THE important things in life – you can see by the look on his face in this interview, that that your dad believes COMPLETELY what he is saying. My prayers are with you and your family.

3 Robert Valdivia 02.20.09 at 3:22 pm

What an amazing man. This is what every man should aspire to be.
Now I know where you got it from…

4 Diane 02.20.09 at 4:09 pm

I lost my father in 1998 and mother in 2003 and now i feel so alone although I do have my family. The message tell one that money and power are not as important as family and friends is so true.

5 Noel and April M. Williams 02.20.09 at 4:48 pm

Keeping you both in our thoughts. The Florida episode was particularly touching for me. How wonderful your dad had so many years to enjoy with his family and friends.

6 Duncan Carey 02.20.09 at 5:59 pm

Dearest Rox & Shane.
I am so sorry to hear this news. You’re in my heart at this time and I extend to you my deepest and most sincere condolences. In Bill’s eternal life – I hope the spirit of Bill surrounds you, guides and guards your family like an angel.
I saw Bill on the Beach Walks shows and found him to warm, intelligent, gentle and very compassionate.
My mother-in-law passed over just 2 weeks ago and we too are feeling the deep loss of her wonderful spirit and love.
As we try to do, please hold strong faith in knowing that Bill is surrounding you in his eternal spirit. He is watching you everyday and is in your home keeping an eye on you. I send you all my sympathy and love and hope you are surrounded by loving friends and family.
With Love and Deep Regret to you and your family.
Duncan Carey
(Sydney, Australia)

7 Susan and my dog Lexie 02.20.09 at 8:16 pm

My dear Rox and Shane,
I have just become aware of Bill’s passing this evening while checking out some web pages as I was talking on the phone. I had to close off the conversation and remain still, reflecting on a life well lived by your Dad. As you commented a couple of weeks ago, Rox, he never complained about the pain he was experiencing. He remained engaged, caring and compassionate of others, and had the ability to always leave a positive impact. People, friends and family are what really mattered; he got it, lived it, and shared it. May your entire family find comfort in the fact that he touched SO many lives worldwide, and we have remained changed for the better because of him. May God provide a peace within your hearts that endures and protects your inner being during these difficult days ahead.
Bill is a true hero.
My love to you all, Susan

8 jac mills 02.21.09 at 7:11 am

So sorry to hear the sad news of Bill.

How good to hear his voice on the beach walk. He sounded just as I remember him from many years ago at Ford. He was always a gentleman. My condolences to the family.

9 shawnotay 02.21.09 at 10:35 am

aloha and maluhia to all of Bill’s friends and families.
me ka pumehana

10 Toni Johnson 02.22.09 at 2:56 am

Roxy, Thank you for allowing us to hear Bill’s voice this morning. He was a precious friend to our family, and he will forever be in our hearts. We celebrate his life with thanksgiving and now pray for comfort and peace for his dear family. We love them all!

11 Wanda Smith 02.22.09 at 4:07 am

Dear Barb,

Thank you so much for sharing this very meaningful message from your Dad with me this morning. While I never had the opportunity to meet your Dad, thru our conversations I feel like I “knew” him. I know the time you have spent with him over his lifetime will stay with you forever. My Dad passed over 42 years ago and there are still times I would love to have one more conversation with him. Be comforted that he had an incredible life. With love and hugs, Wanda

12 Susan Johnson 02.22.09 at 5:41 am

What a beautiful interview – I was inspired by his quiet yet powerful demeanor. He is a man everone would want to know. Thank you for sharing him through your website

hugs and kisses Susan

13 alexx 02.22.09 at 6:20 am

my condolences Roxy on the passing of your dad Bill – a pioneer in his field and you carry it from here.
alexx

14 alexx 02.22.09 at 6:30 am

ps: the vid you posted on this site with him is beautiful and his words are ring so true / love alexx

15 Jim Lawrence 02.22.09 at 8:12 am

My prayers are with all the Benton Family … and a wonderful family it is.
I worked with Bill for many years in Detroit during the Ford era.

I so enjoyed Bill’s words. They are not only meaningful, but quite precious. He was and will always be a treasure. A very special hug to Blanche, my heart is with you.

With love to all,
Jim Lawrence

16 Jan McLaughlin 02.23.09 at 12:53 am

You and yours are in my thoughts. Thanks for sharing this marvelous wisdom.

17 George Ivey 02.24.09 at 11:02 am

Blanche,

What a joy to know that the two of you had 60 wonderful years together. You and W.P. married the same month in 1948 that Jean and I did. I loved seeing you at tha Everglades Clud several years back when we were eating with Ruthie Baxter.

Wisdom on the “walk” was marvelous.

Jean and I send our love and sincerest condolences to you and yours,

George Ivey

18 Deb Temple 02.25.09 at 3:53 pm

Hi At. Blanche and all the family! Loved hearing Un. Bill’s voice and all the lovely words he spoke – and where else, but on the beach where we will cherish so many warm memories. Our love and prayers are with all of you!!
Hope to see you guys in March! Take care and God Bless! Love, Deb and all

19 Ned Grant 03.01.09 at 7:10 am

Met your dad in the late 70s. He was an inspiration then and his words on the beach continue to inspire this old war horse. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Ned Grant

20 Rudy 03.01.09 at 11:35 am

Dear Roxanne

What a brilliant idea to have made this touching video of your dad. It is a unique an enduring testimony to his character.I worked under his guidance at Ford in Europe and was always impressed by his businesss knowledge, executive ability and friendly style.

Rudy Boniface

21 udo and marion kruse 03.04.09 at 3:45 am

Dear Roxane and family,
our second attempt to sending our sincerest condolences to you and the Benton Family. Wonderful to listening to your father words.. what a wise and brilliant man he was. Worked with him for years, both at Ford and the MS organization… and still treasure to photo of him and Blanche which was taken of us some 15 years ago in London. All the very best for all of you!
udo and marion from portugal

22 Billie and Lee Miskowski 03.06.09 at 11:47 am

Submitted comments, which were accepted, some days ago; do not see them here.
Lee Miskowski

23 Roxanne 03.06.09 at 9:36 pm

@Billie and Lee Miskowski – Your original comment is on the death notice page. You can find it here.

24 Jo Ann Nagle Schofding 03.15.09 at 2:03 pm

To Mrs. Benton, Nancy, Judy, Roxanne and Barb,

I am sorry for the loss of Mr. Benton. I will always remember meeting your dad in the kitchen. When I was in the first grade and remember thinking how tall he was.

Nancy and I stole a few days away to Florida one time. Left the young children with their respective fathers and took off for the sun. Every day your dad would pick a grapefruit and have it ready for me after I came back from running. He would tell me that you can’t get much fresher than this. I picked it 10 minutes ago. I loved someone getting me breakfast.

I will truly miss him.

Jo Ann

25 Hal Augustine 03.17.09 at 3:52 pm

Dear Blanche and all the Benton children,
I did not get to know Bill personally until our paths crossed while he was working at Wells, Rich and Greene on the Ford account. During that the time I was Ford’s Corporate Advertising Manager. Bill’s friendship and counsel served me well not only at that time but throughout my career at Ford. I cherish the luncheons we shared talking about the business and exchanging family stories.

So much can be written about Bill; enthusiasm and optimism were his trademarks. He was proud yet very humble, but above all else, Bill was always the consummate gentleman. He will be missed by us all.

26 Puakea Foundation 03.27.09 at 1:35 pm

Dear Rox,
We never knew your dad but after seeing the video I can tell where you got your quite understanding, positive nature, AND GOOD LOOKS!!!!
We are all so sorry for your loss. We love you dearly,
Uncle Bobby, Aunty Pat, Ricky, and Alana

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