William "Bill" Robert Benecke died unexpectedly in Flagstaff. He was born November 16, 1961, in Great Falls, Mont. to Marion P. and Eugene J. Benecke. The family lived in several different states before settling in Carrollton, Ky., where he graduated from high school in 1979. Bill served in the Coast Guard at Tillamook, Ore., where he married Grace Ray. They had a daughter, Shirea. He later moved to Flagstaff where he was employed at SCA Tissue.

Bill's motto could easily have been "A friend in need is a friend indeed". So many times he reached out to people who needed to be cared for and not judged. He got such joy looking at the ever changing landscape surrounding his home in Parks, Ariz. He was in awe of the night sky, full of stars that seemed like you could reach up and touch them.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Gene Benecke, his brother, Gene Benecke, Jr., and the love of his life, his daughter, Shirea Lynn Ray.

Bill is survived by his wife, Grace; step-children, Jesse Ray, Merryjane Ray; sisters, Joanne (John) Thomas, Pat (Jeff) Royal, Roseann (Bob) Dunlap, Mary (Tom) Kurtz, Sue (Mickey) McKamey, Annie (Ron) Holloway; brothers Frank (Aly) Benecke, Mike (Laura) Benecke, Woody Benecke; numerous nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and nephews; a few great-great-nieces and nephews; and special friend, Jen Heinrich.

Visitation will take place at the Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 E. Route 66, in Flagstaff on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 5-7pm. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 28, at Our Lady of Guadalupe at 10:30 a.m., honors to follow. Services will be held in Carrollton, Ky. at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, with a memorial mass at St. John's Catholic Church, Fifth Street in Carrollton with Fr. Jacob Straub officiating. A reception will follow at St. John's Parish Center.

Memorial donations may be sent to Sunshine Rescue Mission. 124 South San Francisco Street Flagstaff, Arizona 86001.