Dr. William Raymond Bender, MD
January 17, 1940 - August 27, 2021
William Raymond Bender, M.D., who found his greatest pleasures with his family and on the golf course, died peacefully at home on August 27. He was 81.
Dr. Bender was a radiologist at Baptist Health Care for more than 25 years. He moved to Pensacola in 1971, after completing medical training at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and at Duke Hospital in Durham. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1965.
Known as Bill, he was born on January 17, 1940, in Fayetteville, NC, to Dr. John and Martha Bender, and spent his childhood in Red Springs, NC. He graduated from Bullis School in Potomac, Md., in 1957, and the University of Notre Dame in 1961.
After medical school and during the Vietnam War, Dr. Bender joined the U.S. Air Force. He spent most of his military tour at Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia (Ginger) Dominick Bender, and their three children, Robert Bender (Amy) and their children, Harrison and Elizabeth, of Pensacola; Betsey Preston (Ryan) and their children, Virginia and Margaret, of Dallas; and Meg Bender of Atlanta. He is also survived by his two sons, William Bender, Jr. (Juliet) and their son, Noah, of Reston, VA, and Christopher Bender (Heather) and their children, Hannah and Caleb of Orlando. He is survived by his sister, Martha Jollie (James) of Columbia, SC.
He remained an avid Notre Dame football fan throughout his life and instilled his loyalty to the Fighting Irish in his family; however, failed to convert his many Alabama friends despite his relentless efforts.
Fiercely competitive, he won countless rounds of golf against family and friends on his home course of Pensacola Country Club. His best score was a 66. He served as president of Pensacola Country Club as well as president of the Pensacola Sports and the Order of Tristan social club.
Bill had a brilliant mind, quick wit, a genuine smile, and resolute dedication to his life pursuits. He was a caring friend to many and never short of a good joke. Later in life, he enjoyed going to the Country Club to eat lunch and see friends and staff members daily. His friend and caregiver, Melvin, helped him stay active and independent during the last seven months of his life.
A gathering and celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 4 p.m. CST, on the lawn of the fairway of the 18th hole at Pensacola Country Club. A reception will follow. True to Bill's style, please wear golf casual or your favorite cashmere sweater. The service will also be streamed live, available on Meg Bender's YouTube Channel (username: mmbender1).
Donations may be made to First Tee Gulf Coast, firstteegulfcoast.org, or 3924 W. Navy Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32507; or the University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, or a charity of your choice.
January 17, 1940 - August 27, 2021
William Raymond Bender, M.D., who found his greatest pleasures with his family and on the golf course, died peacefully at home on August 27. He was 81.
Dr. Bender was a radiologist at Baptist Health Care for more than 25 years. He moved to Pensacola in 1971, after completing medical training at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and at Duke Hospital in Durham. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1965.
Known as Bill, he was born on January 17, 1940, in Fayetteville, NC, to Dr. John and Martha Bender, and spent his childhood in Red Springs, NC. He graduated from Bullis School in Potomac, Md., in 1957, and the University of Notre Dame in 1961.
After medical school and during the Vietnam War, Dr. Bender joined the U.S. Air Force. He spent most of his military tour at Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia (Ginger) Dominick Bender, and their three children, Robert Bender (Amy) and their children, Harrison and Elizabeth, of Pensacola; Betsey Preston (Ryan) and their children, Virginia and Margaret, of Dallas; and Meg Bender of Atlanta. He is also survived by his two sons, William Bender, Jr. (Juliet) and their son, Noah, of Reston, VA, and Christopher Bender (Heather) and their children, Hannah and Caleb of Orlando. He is survived by his sister, Martha Jollie (James) of Columbia, SC.
He remained an avid Notre Dame football fan throughout his life and instilled his loyalty to the Fighting Irish in his family; however, failed to convert his many Alabama friends despite his relentless efforts.
Fiercely competitive, he won countless rounds of golf against family and friends on his home course of Pensacola Country Club. His best score was a 66. He served as president of Pensacola Country Club as well as president of the Pensacola Sports and the Order of Tristan social club.
Bill had a brilliant mind, quick wit, a genuine smile, and resolute dedication to his life pursuits. He was a caring friend to many and never short of a good joke. Later in life, he enjoyed going to the Country Club to eat lunch and see friends and staff members daily. His friend and caregiver, Melvin, helped him stay active and independent during the last seven months of his life.
A gathering and celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 4 p.m. CST, on the lawn of the fairway of the 18th hole at Pensacola Country Club. A reception will follow. True to Bill's style, please wear golf casual or your favorite cashmere sweater. The service will also be streamed live, available on Meg Bender's YouTube Channel (username: mmbender1).
Donations may be made to First Tee Gulf Coast, firstteegulfcoast.org, or 3924 W. Navy Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32507; or the University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, or a charity of your choice.
Dr. William Raymond Bender, MD
January 17, 1940 - August 27, 2021
William Raymond Bender, M.D., who found his greatest pleasures with his family and on the golf course, died peacefully at home on August 27. He was 81.
Dr. Bender was a radiologist at Baptist Health Care for more than 25 years. He moved to Pensacola in 1971, after completing medical training at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and at Duke Hospital in Durham. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1965.
Known as Bill, he was born on January 17, 1940, in Fayetteville, NC, to Dr. John and Martha Bender, and spent his childhood in Red Springs, NC. He graduated from Bullis School in Potomac, Md., in 1957, and the University of Notre Dame in 1961.
After medical school and during the Vietnam War, Dr. Bender joined the U.S. Air Force. He spent most of his military tour at Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia (Ginger) Dominick Bender, and their three children, Robert Bender (Amy) and their children, Harrison and Elizabeth, of Pensacola; Betsey Preston (Ryan) and their children, Virginia and Margaret, of Dallas; and Meg Bender of Atlanta. He is also survived by his two sons, William Bender, Jr. (Juliet) and their son, Noah, of Reston, VA, and Christopher Bender (Heather) and their children, Hannah and Caleb of Orlando. He is survived by his sister, Martha Jollie (James) of Columbia, SC.
He remained an avid Notre Dame football fan throughout his life and instilled his loyalty to the Fighting Irish in his family; however, failed to convert his many Alabama friends despite his relentless efforts.
Fiercely competitive, he won countless rounds of golf against family and friends on his home course of Pensacola Country Club. His best score was a 66. He served as president of Pensacola Country Club as well as president of the Pensacola Sports and the Order of Tristan social club.
Bill had a brilliant mind, quick wit, a genuine smile, and resolute dedication to his life pursuits. He was a caring friend to many and never short of a good joke. Later in life, he enjoyed going to the Country Club to eat lunch and see friends and staff members daily. His friend and caregiver, Melvin, helped him stay active and independent during the last seven months of his life.
A gathering and celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 4 p.m. CST, on the lawn of the fairway of the 18th hole at Pensacola Country Club. A reception will follow. True to Bill's style, please wear golf casual or your favorite cashmere sweater. The service will also be streamed live, available on Meg Bender's YouTube Channel (username: mmbender1).
Donations may be made to First Tee Gulf Coast, firstteegulfcoast.org, or 3924 W. Navy Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32507; or the University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, or a charity of your choice.
January 17, 1940 - August 27, 2021
William Raymond Bender, M.D., who found his greatest pleasures with his family and on the golf course, died peacefully at home on August 27. He was 81.
Dr. Bender was a radiologist at Baptist Health Care for more than 25 years. He moved to Pensacola in 1971, after completing medical training at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and at Duke Hospital in Durham. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1965.
Known as Bill, he was born on January 17, 1940, in Fayetteville, NC, to Dr. John and Martha Bender, and spent his childhood in Red Springs, NC. He graduated from Bullis School in Potomac, Md., in 1957, and the University of Notre Dame in 1961.
After medical school and during the Vietnam War, Dr. Bender joined the U.S. Air Force. He spent most of his military tour at Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia (Ginger) Dominick Bender, and their three children, Robert Bender (Amy) and their children, Harrison and Elizabeth, of Pensacola; Betsey Preston (Ryan) and their children, Virginia and Margaret, of Dallas; and Meg Bender of Atlanta. He is also survived by his two sons, William Bender, Jr. (Juliet) and their son, Noah, of Reston, VA, and Christopher Bender (Heather) and their children, Hannah and Caleb of Orlando. He is survived by his sister, Martha Jollie (James) of Columbia, SC.
He remained an avid Notre Dame football fan throughout his life and instilled his loyalty to the Fighting Irish in his family; however, failed to convert his many Alabama friends despite his relentless efforts.
Fiercely competitive, he won countless rounds of golf against family and friends on his home course of Pensacola Country Club. His best score was a 66. He served as president of Pensacola Country Club as well as president of the Pensacola Sports and the Order of Tristan social club.
Bill had a brilliant mind, quick wit, a genuine smile, and resolute dedication to his life pursuits. He was a caring friend to many and never short of a good joke. Later in life, he enjoyed going to the Country Club to eat lunch and see friends and staff members daily. His friend and caregiver, Melvin, helped him stay active and independent during the last seven months of his life.
A gathering and celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 4 p.m. CST, on the lawn of the fairway of the 18th hole at Pensacola Country Club. A reception will follow. True to Bill's style, please wear golf casual or your favorite cashmere sweater. The service will also be streamed live, available on Meg Bender's YouTube Channel (username: mmbender1).
Donations may be made to First Tee Gulf Coast, firstteegulfcoast.org, or 3924 W. Navy Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32507; or the University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, or a charity of your choice.
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