This appeared in Sportsman Pilot.  Thought it might be of interest to those who don't subscribe.  Might be some misspelling as I used OCR software.

Evan

OBITUARIES

Willard L. Benedict of Wayland, Michigan died on October 3, 2001. He was 67. Willard was born on November 16, 1933 and lived his entire life in the same house, except for the time he spent in college and military service. Enthralled with aviation at an early age, he built his first
model airplane at age 7 and began working at the Wayland Municipal Airport when he was 16. He soloed in a T-craft that same year (1950).
Willard graduated from high school in 1951 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1953. While in service, he continued his civilian flying, obtaining his Private ticket in 1954.The following year, he bought and rebuilt a Monocoupe 90A - which would prove to be the beginning of a lifelong string of homebuilt and vintage aircraft restoration projects Willard would undertake. His Air Force duties involved service as a radio and guided missile technician with the 3205th Drone Group, 321 5th Drone Squadron at Elgin AFB at Crestview, FL Willard received his honorable discharge in 1957.
After his military service, Willard attended the University of Florida and Western Michigan University, but couldn't keep away from airplanes and flying. He obtained his A&P license in 1958 and would add the Inspection Authorization in 1966. Continuing to advance his flying skills, he would earn a Commercial license, with single and multi-engine land, single and multi-engine sea, helicopter and instrument ratings. He enlisted in the Michigan Air National Guard in 1966 and would serve until 1 969.
Willard bought his second Monocoupe, a 90AF, in 1967, restored it and would keep it in flying condition for the remainder of his life. He also built a Nesmith Cougar, which he completed in 1970. The Cougar was eventually sold to finance the start of a full scale reproduction of the famous Texaco No. 13 Travel Air Mystery Ship that Frank Hawks used to set a number of inter-city speed records in both the U.S. and Europe in the 1930s. At the time of his death, Willard was very close to completing the airplane and was looking forward to its first flight next spring.
Willard became an EAA member in 1959 and was a charter member of EAA Chapter 145 in Grand Rapids, Ml. Over the years, he held every elective office, including newsletter editor, and served for 32 years (since the inception of the program) as a Technical Counselor. He became one of the early members of EAA's Antique/Classic Division (now the Vintage Aircraft Association) and was a historian member of the OX-5 Club. Long active in the Monocoupe Club, Willard and his wife, Donna, published its newsletter for a time.
Willard retired in 1993 and he and Donna began spending winters at their flying community in Ocklawaha, Florida. During those months, he was an active member of EAA Chapter 635 in Deland, Florida.
At the time of his death, Willard was manager of the Wayland, Michigan airport, which he and others purchased five years ago. He died suddenly at his home following open heart surgery to correct an inherited aortic valve defect.
On a personal note, after Golda and I went to work for EAA in 1970, one of our earliest trips away from Headquarters was to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend a Chapter 145 function. It was there that we had the opportunity to visit Willard on his home turf, tour the Wayland Airport and start a friendship that would continue over the succeeding 30 plus years. He seemed to be a part of everything we were involved in - the Antique/Classic Division, Monocoupe Club, the Designee program (as it was known then), all the major fly-ins, etc. Willard and Donna were always part of the extended EAA family that made our careers at EAA so enjoyable, and his passing is a sad occasion for us. Our condolences to Donna and all of Willard's family and many friends.