Obituary of William Francis Bender

William Francis Bender

William Francis Bender, of Northglenn, Colorado, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 3, 2022. He was 83 years old.

He was born April 3, 1939, in McCook, Nebraska, and was married to Lois Bender, who preceded him in death, in February 2021.

He attended Catholic schools through his high school graduation, serving as an altar boy during church services throughout the years.

After high school, he briefly served in the Air Force before settling in the Denver metro area of Colorado where he started a nearly 3-decade-long career with the Boilermakers. Starting out as a welder, he became active in the International Boilermakers Union, Local 101 where he served 7 years as shop steward, with 6 years as Assistant Business Manager in charge of shops and Field Dispatcher before being elected Business Manager for Local 101, serving two terms. He earned several Certificates of Completion for Union-related education including Collective Bargaining, Grievance Handling, OSHA, Communication, and Labor Law I-II.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his son, Dwayne Anthony Bender (2009), and is survived by his son, Mark Raymond Bender, and daughters, Lindey Mae Bender and Cherryl Marie Bender.

He is lovingly remembered by his ten grandchildren, Larry Aldrich, Sarah Bender, Chasity Patterson, Aubrey Martinez, Bobbie Bender-Hamill, Genette Bender-Gregg, William“Billy” Bender, Eric Bender, Johnny Bender, Alexander Masak, and 19 great-grandchildren; and cousins Tracie Martin and Dian Barkley.

A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, September 2 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish, 11385 Grant Dr., Northglenn 80233. Viewing begins at 9:30 am, followed by services beginning at 10. Burial to follow at Fort Logan at 1:30 pm, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave. Denver, Colorado, 80236.