Benchley, Paul E. Bay City, MI Paul E. Benchley, 80, passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021 at McLaren Bay Regional Hospital. He was born on September 19, 1941 in Clare, Michigan to the late Kenneth H. and Mildred S. (Durkee) Benchley, he was number 13 of 16 children.
He married Joyce M. (Urban) Finn on December 29, 1978 in Bay City, Michigan. Paul was the founder of both Paul’s Plumbing and Benchley Builders, Inc. He was a devoted and active member of the Redeeming Love Christian Embassy in Bay City, Michigan. Paul enjoyed his four-legged buddy, Barron, hunting, fishing, birds and caring for his yard. He enjoyed Florida in the winter, especially the garage sales and auctions. He remodeled the 1st addition to the Bay City Players and was the developer and renovated the Garfield School into 26 Unit apartments called Garfield Manor for Seniors, and the Quality Leasing & Management Business, required for the many State of Michigan projects and other projects throughout his life time. As many know Paul was never afraid of controversy, he will be greatly missed. Paul is survived by his wife Joyce, children Paul (Janet) Benchley, Jeff David (Sena) Benchley, Kelly (Brad Heim) Benchley, Jeff Daniel (Eager) (Shawny) Benchley, Scott (Eager) Benchley, Michael M. Finn, and Kevin C. (Sheila) Finn. He had 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Paul had 15 siblings; he is survived by 4 brothers, Elmer (Virginia) Benchley, Revey (Margo) Benchley, Thomas Benchley and Kenneth (Cherrie) Benchley, and 3 sisters, Jean Boyd, Dorothy Cameron, and Deloris Collins. He is survived by 3 sisters-in-law, Donna Benchley, Barb Benchley, Jean Benchley, a brother-in-law, Gil (Sue) Urban and many-many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 7 brothers, Robert Benchley, Miles Benchley, Floyd Benchley, Marvin Benchley, Daniel Benchley, Donald Benchley and Bernard Benchley, and one sister, Lois Hammerberg. Paul was also predeceased by 4 brothers-in-law Dr. Kuno Hammerberg, Kent Boyd, Kenneth Cameron, Richard Collins and Dr. Karl Henize and 5 sisters-in-law, Maria Benchley, Vivian Benchley, Dorothy Benchley, Nellie Benchley and Caroline (Weber) Henize.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Friday, January 14, 2022, at the Rivertown Funeral Chapel, Kawkawlin, Michigan with the Pastor Jeff Englehart presiding. The family will greet friends on Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 2:00 – 8:00 pm at the Rivertown Funeral Chapel and on Friday, from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Rivertown Funeral Chapel, 209 S. Huron Road, Kawkawlin, Michigan 48631
