In Remembrance: William M. Benjamin ’45W Died on September 18 2018

William Mente Benjamin, former chairman of the board of Starmount Company and president of Benjamin Minerals, Inc., passed away on September 18, 2018, his 94th birthday. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 18, 1924, one of three sons born to Blanche and Edward B. Benjamin. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Durland Benjamin, and their children, William Proctor Benjamin (Margaret), John Durland Benjamin, and Ann Benjamin Zuraw (Benjamin) of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Thomas Mente Benjamin (Sallee) of New Orleans, Louisiana, as well as ten grandchildren and his brother Jonathan Sternberger Benjamin of Hawaii. He was predeceased by his brother Edward B. Benjamin Jr., also of New Orleans.

Mr. Benjamin served overseas in the US Infantry in World War II in the European Theater and thereafter was stationed in Japan after its surrender. He was the recipient of two Bronze stars for his service. He graduated from Yale University in 1948. Upon returning to New Orleans, he graduated from Tulane University Law School where he was a member of the Tulane Law Review. He practiced law in New Orleans and later went to work for Benjamin Minerals, Inc. in New Orleans and the Starmount Company of Greensboro, North Carolina. In New Orleans, Mr. Benjamin served on various boards including Metairie Park Country Day School; the Diaconate, Session, and Board of Trustees of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church; the Young Men's Business Club of New Orleans; the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony; the Community Concert Association of New Orleans; Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans; the Upper Audubon Association; Louisiana Land and Royalty Owners Association; the Metropolitan Area Committee; the Louisiana Civil Service League; and the Metropolitan New Orleans Safety Council. He was a member of the New Orleans Country Club, the Southern Yacht Club, and several Carnival Organizations. In Greensboro, Mr. Benjamin was an affiliate member of First Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the UNC-G Spartan Club, the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, the Greensboro Country Club, Starmount Forest Country Club, and the Greensboro Kiwanis Club. He also served on the Salvation Army's board of advisors, the board of the Children's Home Society, American Heart Association, Guilford College Board of Visitors, Friends of the Greensboro Public Library, and the Headmaster's Council at the Greensboro Day School.

—Submitted by the family.