Edward Charles Benedict

Edward Charles Benedict

Aug. 18. 1937 - Oct. 29, 2014

OAK HARBOR, Wash. -- After a courageous battle with cancer, Edward C. Benedict of Oak Harbor passed away with his loving family by his side Oct. 29, 2014, at the age of 77. He was born Aug. 18. 1937, in Cambridge, Nebraska, to Charles and Hazel (Feichter) Benedict. Ed grew up on the farm and graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1955.

A few years after graduation, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy, retiring as Chief Petty Officer in Oak Harbor after 20 years of service. He served at various duty stations, including two tours in Vietnam. Ed met Judith Roberts and on Dec. 24, 1960, in Belmont, California, they were married. The family welcomed two daughters, Colleen and Kim.

After retirement, Ed took up a number of hobbies, including raising Hampshire and Duroc hogs. On a number of occasions, he donated pigs for the pig scramble at the local rodeo. He also had a passion for automotive repair and became known as the "Pinto Man" for his love of the old Ford Pinto. Even with poor vision, Ed still worked on cars and his favorite hobby - fixing Ford 9N tractors.

Ed is survived by his wife, Judith, and daughters, Colleen Wolf and Kim (Radford) Benedict-Hembree, all of Oak Harbor; grandchildren, Nickolas, Matthew and Jeremy and great-grandchildren, Cameron, Teagan, Ashton and Brody. Also surviving are sisters, Elaine Hidy of Trenton, Nebraska, Barbara (Larry) Wolfe of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, and Betty (Alfred) Cressler of Jennings, Kansas. Niece, Sherri Rahm, who served as a caretaker for Ed, also survives.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences in Ed's book of memories at the funeral home website, www.wallinfuneralhome.com

Memorial services were Nov. 8, 2014, at Wallin Funeral Home in Oak Harbor, Washington. Military honors were performed by NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Inurnment will be at a later date.