Margaret Pauline "Peggy" Benz's Obituary
Margaret (Peggy) Pauline (Williams) Benz, 93, of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, stepped into the presence of the Lord on September 2, 2023, surrounded by her family who cherished her.
Born in Nashville on December 16, 1929, Peggy was the daughter of James Willie Williams and Corrine (Johns) Williams.
Peggy is survived by her sons James (Ned) Edward (Beth), William (Bill) Wendelin, III, Gary Wade (Diane) and Curtis Lee, Sr. (Lee Anne); sister Nancy (Larry) McDougal, brother-in-law Jack (Naroma) Benz; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Billy) Wendelin Benz; parents James Willie and Corrine (Johns) Williams; sister Beverly (Ben) Gattis; and daughter-in-law Johanna (Hale) Benz.
A 1948 graduate of Isaac Litton High School in Nashville, Tennessee, Peggy was instrumental in the creation of the O.F.F. (Out For Fun) Club that consisted of 20 of her closest friends. The O.F.F. Club remained active throughout the members’ lives, well into their 80s. At Peggy’s passing, she and Mary Elizabeth Chaffin were the last two surviving members.
In 1945 while at Litton High School, the beautiful Peggy Williams caught the eye of Billy Benz, and she graciously agreed to be his best girl on September 16, 1945. Billy convinced Peggy to be his permanent best girl, and they were married on July 15, 1948, and enjoyed almost 72 years of marriage.
The Lord blessed Peggy and Billy with four outstanding sons, whom they raised in a Christ-centered home. Their family attended Inglewood Baptist Church for more than 20 years.
A master at decorating, Peggy was an aficionado of antiques, and she and Billy spent their retirement years at auctions, seeking just the right antiques to fill their beloved home, the historic Three Waters estate, built in 1804.
Peggy was an elegant Southern woman who had impeccable taste. She loved to entertain and was an accomplished cook. The gatherings at Three Waters with her family, friends and Sunday School class members are legendary. Anyone was welcome and there was always enough food to ensure no one left her home hungry.
She endured a lifetime of antics from Billy, her sons and grandchildren, who were unyielding jokesters and pranksters, although Peggy had an exceptional sense of humor, herself, and it was not unusual to find her right in the middle of the pranks.
Peggy and Billy became members of First Baptist Church at Hendersonville, where they worshipped for more than 20 years, and were active in their Sunday School class. Peggy was a devoted Christian, and her enduring faith was an example to her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation is 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, September 8, at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery. The service will be at 2 p.m. with Scott Nelson presiding. Pallbearers are grandsons Will Benz, Bo Biddle, Wade Benz, Chase Benz, Curt Benz, Jr. and Daniel Benz.
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