William “Bill” (Papa) R. Benger passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on Sunday, July 7th following a long battle with heart disease. Bill was born in Seattle, WA on October 6, 1950, to Ralph and Doris Benger.  Bill met his wife, Linda, when they were 15 years old.  He served in the United States Army during Vietnam and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Bill and Linda moved to Nampa, Idaho in 1972 to be near family.

Idaho was home to Bill and Linda for more than 50 years where they raised their children. Bill was a successful truck driver and business owner for over 40 years where he met many life-long friends in the industry. After retirement, Bill enjoyed staying in touch with his fellow truck drivers and good friends and visiting his son and co-workers at Western Trailers to talk shop. 

Before everything else, Bill was a loving and devoted family man. He always wanted to hear what his kids and grandkids were up to and showed his love and support in countless ways. He never passed up an opportunity to hold his grandbabies and cherished watching them grow. Billy treasured sharing stories and laughing with his family and life-long friends. He loved fishing, camping, and boating with his loved ones. Cooking was also one of Billy’s passions; we will miss his famous giblet gravy and stuffing, potato salad, and homemade ice cream. We will all miss his sense of humor, wittiness, and teasing but above all, we will miss his love and dedication to his family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Linda, of 51 years; two daughters and one son; Sheri and Rusty Boicourt of Boise, Staci Lawrence of Nampa and Will and Chelsi Benger of Kuna; sisters Farel Flurry of Meridian and Linda Kennedy of Reno, Nevada; brothers and sisters in-law, Weldon and Diana Russell of Las Vegas, Nevada, Tina and Dennis Chalker of Salem, Oregon, Dawn Bolton of Franklin, Tennessee, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. One of Billy’s proudest roles was being “Papa” to Leighton, Daschia, Tristan, Cole, Isabelle, Fenix, Paul, Roark, Lilli, Sage and his eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Doris Benger; brothers, Chris and Chuck Benger; grandson, Gabriel Lawrence; niece, Erin Flurry-Nettleton; and many extended family members.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 29 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 510 W. Roosevelt Ave in Nampa and available via livestream at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church website. A reception/lunch will be held following the funeral from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Saint Paul’s Catholic Student Center, 1915 W. University Drive in Boise.  A private internment service will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book and full obituary is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

For the wonderful care received at the Boise Veteran’s Hospital over the last several years, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Idaho Military Order of the Purple Heart c/o Ian Freeman, Finance Officer, at 10028 Mossywood Dr, Boise, ID 83709 or email: [email protected] or flowers may be sent to the funeral home for services