SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA – William D. "Bill" Benoni, 95, of Hillside Road passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, August 10, 2026, the 69th year of his marriage to Ann (Perry) Benoni. Bill as family and friends knew him as, was born in Conway a son of the late Placido Constantino and Florence (Caron) Benoni. Bill's father, Placido, emigrated from Austria, and his name is enshrined on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor. BilL grew up on the family farm in Conway, working hard from a young age. He graduated from Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls and went to work for the Boston & Maine Railroad in Deerfield briefly before entering the US Air Force where he served as a Staff Sergeant. After he was discharged, Bill settled in South Deerfield with his beloved wife, Ann (Perry) Benoni to raise their family. Bill and Ann worked tirelessly at the family home. Bill milled the lumber for the floors at his home from the farm in Conway, oak floors with walnut pegs, and Ann meticulously vacuumed every hole for all the pegs and helped finish the floors. Bill worked for the Boston and Maine Railroad before going to work for the former Greenfield Tap & Dye where he spent many years before retiring. Bill was never one to sit still, working for the Wal-Chris Dairy Farm on Hillside rd. in South Deerfield in the fields and the dairy. Bill gave of his time with the Catholic churches in South Deerfield, first with Fr. Julius Jutt at the former St. James Church where he maintained the grounds and the beautiful flower beds for many years. When St. James closed, Bill and Ann became communicants of the Holy Family Catholic Parish in South Deerfield where Bill continued with the landscaping and flowers. The church honored Bill with a beautiful bench in commemoration of his decades of volunteerism. His own home boasted seven large flower beds of all colors. Bill was a member of the American Legion Post 344 in Hadley, the Knights of Columbus # 15197 and a past member of the Polish American Citizens Club in South Deerfield. Bill was predeceased by several siblings Placido Benoni, Alice Bonneville, Connie Olszewski and Marie Croteau. Bill leaves his beloved wife of 69 years, Ann (Perry) Benoni. His son Dana Benoni. His grandchildren; Courtney and Jessica Benoni and great grandchildren; Gabe, Zander and Tristin Benoni. He also leaves his siblings; Dianne Benoni, Anita Skaggs and Genie Suits, sister-in-law Rita Torpey and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends for a calling hour on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Holy Family Church, 29 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam at 3:00 P.M. Donations in his memory may be made to the Renovation fund at Holy Family Church, 29 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield, MA 01373. AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, serving Franklin County.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes