William J. Benson, 82, printing-company salesman

William J. "Boo" Benson Jr., 82, a retired printing-company salesman formerly of Drexel Hill, died of lung cancer Sunday, Feb. 5, at Chandler Hall Hospice in Newtown.

For 40 years, Mr. Benson was a salesman for printing companies. He was employed by Union Camp Corp., a manufacturer of printing papers, when he retired in 1995.

Growing up in Southwest Philadelphia, he played basketball at St. Francis de Sales School, where as an eighth grader he scored 98 points in 24 minutes in a game against St. Carthage School.

In 1947, he graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School. During his senior year, he was the 4th leading basketball scorer in the Catholic League. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Joseph's University and played in the first basketball game at the new field house in 1949.

From 1951 to 1955, Mr. Benson served in the Air Force in the States. After his discharge, he married Jacqueline Dugan, to whom he was introduced by his sister, Mary.

As a teenager, Mr. Benson operated the movie projector at Shore Theater in Wildwood. While in college and until his late 20s, he was a stagehand at area theaters, including the Stanley Theater in Camden.

He met numerous celebrities, including Laurel and Hardy, the Three Stooges, Humphrey Bogart, and his favorite performer, Nat King Cole.

In 2006, he and his wife moved to Ocean City, N.J. He was a member of the Ocean City Fishing Club and the Knights of Columbus Council in Springfield, Delaware County. He was a fan of Philadelphia sports teams and a former member of the 2,000 Mile Swimming Club at the Lansdowne YMCA.

"He was a charismatic presence," said his daughter, Patricia Boccardo, "and had a sparkle in his eye to the end."

Besides his wife of 55 years, daughter, and sister, Mr. Benson is survived by sons John, Thomas, William III, Michael, and Kenneth, and nine grandchildren.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Fluehr Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd., Richboro. A Funeral Mass will be said at noon at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Rd., Holland.

Donations may be made to Chandler Hall Hospice, 99 Barclay St., Newtown, Pa. 18940.