Wilbur Eugene Benson, age 79, of Stillwater, died Sunday, August 18, 2024. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 to 7:00 Thursday, August 22, 2024 at Strode Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 23, 2024 at the Stillwater First Presbyterian Church. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Gene was born to Wilbur Nathan and Virginia Carmen (Mitchell) Benson on June 19,1945 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He attended Dover Pubic school from the first grade until he graduated in 1963. After graduation, he attended Oklahoma State University. While attending Oklahoma State University, he met and married Ann Marie Williams. In 1967, he graduated with a degree in agricultural education. His first job after graduation was vocational agriculture teaching position at Coyle Public Schools. He taught there for two years before accepting the principal job at Mulhall-Orlando Public Schools. He held this position for four years.

Throughout his life, he farmed and raised livestock. While farming, he bought a bigger combine although he couldn't justify something that big. With that in mind, he bought a bunkhouse and combine trailer and the Custom Harvest Days started. He was in the harvesting business for twelve years. He worked his way up to owning three combines, four semis, and harvested in many states. Reaching as far as the Dakotas. After his endeavors in the harvest business, he returned to his true love of education. He became the principal of Coyle Public Schools. He was the principal until 1993. He then returned to serve his hometown as the school superintendent of Dover Public Schools. After retirement from public school systems, Ann and he worked Southern Region Board as authors and educators.

During their marriage, Gene and Ann proudly traveled to all fifty states. He was a proud and honest high school basketball referee. He was invited to referee five final state championship basketball games. He was an avid Oklahoma State University fan and a season ticket holder for over forty years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ann; brother Kenny and grandson Brady Benson.

Members of his family include his companion Phyllis Harp; son Brian and wife Brooke, Coyle; sister Connie and husband Clint Bailey, Dover; Brother-in-law John and wife Kay Williams, Coyle; Brother-in-law Jim and wife Ruth, Coyle; sister-in-law Debbie Benson, Dover; nieces and nephews, Chris Bailey, Cindy and husband Shane Hunter, Lisa Benson, Jay Williams, Carl and wife Karen Williams, Clark and wife Carol Williams, Cindy and husband Martin Crawford all of Coyle; Jim and wife Kim Williams, and Robert and wife Sarah Williams.

Those wishing to honor Gene's memory may do so by contributing to the Brady Benson Memorial Scholarship at: Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, 505 Agriculture Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078.

Pallbearers are Jay, Carl, Clark, Robert and Jimmy Williams, Chris Bailey, Cindy Crawford, and Cindy Hunter.

Honorary Pallbearers are Eddie Smith, Dwight Stoddard, Jack Harel, Keith Schwandt, Brett Davis and Fred Schultz.