HALLOWELL – Walter Warren Benson, 83, of Hallowell, passed away after a brief illness, on Friday. June 8.

He was born in Brockton, Mass., on July 19, 1923, the son of Elmer and Elvi (Gustafson) Benson. He grew up in Brockton and after graduation, joined the U.S. Navy in 1941. He served in the Navy for six years. He was a quartermaster on the USS Indiana during World War II. He married Peggy Freeman on Dec. 28, 1947.

He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier in Hallowell and Farmingdale for 32 years. He retired from the postal service and began his second career with the Bank of Maine.

He was an avid fisherman and could be found most mornings and evenings on Lake Cobbosseecontee enjoying his boat. He enjoyed being at the Birches Campground surrounded by his many special friends, especially Dave Bryant and the LaPierres. He enjoyed spending time at the Cohen Senior Center playing cards with his friends. For the past 20 years, he was an avid supporter of the St. Joseph’s College baseball program.

He was an active member of the Hallowell community, serving on the SAD 16 school committee for many years. He was a member of the Hallowell Fire Department and was active in the Simmons Fund for SAD 16. He was a former member of the Kennebec-Somerset Baseball Umpires Association and was actively involved with the Goodrich Caldwell American Legion Post 6 in Hallowell. He was a permanent fixture at the Memorial Day parades in Hallowell, proudly carrying the American flag.

He is survived by two sons, David Benson Sr., of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Jeffrey Benson, and his wife, Jody, of Auburn; one daughter, Nancy McCollor, and her husband, Chris, of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; four grandchildren, David Benson Jr. of Florida, Chris Benson of Florida, Joshua Benson of New Jersey and Erika McCollor of Florida; three great-grandchildren, Michele, Johnny and Amy Benson of Florida; and the Goodwin family of West Gardiner.

He was predeceased by his wife, Peggy; his parents; his brother, Elmer Benson Jr.; his sister, Evelyn; his son, Peter Benson; his grandson, Jamie Benson; and daughter-in-law, Linda Benson.