James Paul Bender

James Paul Bender, 77, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Benton City, WA on March 24, 2026. Jim was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and being loved by him. Jim’s deep faith guided the later years of his life and his family takes comfort in knowing that he has entered his Heavenly Home even while missing him fiercely.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Margaret Bender, his siblings, Beverly Goble, Jerry Bender, Sandy Tenbusch, and two great nieces, Shianne Bender and Lizzie Bradshaw. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Linda Leu Weidenbach Bender, who resides at the family home. Jim is also survived by his children James Bender, Jr. (Bethany), Michele Jordan, Trina Wood (Rob), Wendy Weidenbach, Amber Weidenbach and grandchildren Colby Bender, Hope, Hannah and Heather Wood, and Michelle Stevens and Raven Weidenbach.

Jim was born on May 17, 1948 in Prosser, WA. He graduated from Prosser High School in 1966 and joined the Air Force in 1967. Jim was married to Marcheta Green Bender for 24 years and together with their children Jim Jr. and Michele, they traveled the world as he served his country. The family was stationed in numerous places in the U.S., and enjoyed 8 years in Great Falls, MT. They also lived in Turkey and Greece. Jim completed Air Training Command Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Lackland AFB in 1981 and later retired in 1987 as an Environmental Medicine Technician Master Sergeant.

Though retired from the Air Force, Jim’s work life was not over. He later worked as an industrial hygienist for both the State of Montana Department of Labor & Industry/Occupational Safety and Health Bureau and the Hanford Nuclear Site in Washington State.

It was during this period that Jim married Linda Leu Weidenbach. During the nearly 24 years of their marriage, the couple traveled by RV and volunteered in the SOWER Ministry at many locations around the US. Jim and Linda enjoyed wintering in Tucson, AZ with friends at Wagons West RV Park. Jim loved golf, gardening (especially tomatoes and raspberries), anything having to do with cars, working in his shop where he created fun and useful gifts, volunteering with Meals on Wheels and serving his church families in Tucson, AZ and Richland, WA as he shared how Jesus changed his life. He was proud of his children and adored his grandchildren.

Jim will be remembered for many things. He had a beautiful smile, a booming laugh, which came in handy because he was so funny and often cracked himself up after a particularly good joke. Jim had a life-long heart for helping those in need. Along with his family, he will be missed by his many friends and his church family. 

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held at 1:00p on June 15, 2026 at Lighthouse Church, 1007 Wright Ave., Richland, WA 99320 followed by an Honor Guard salute (by the VFW of Kennewick) and Air Force presentation of The 13 folds of the American Flag will be held at 3:30pm at the Prosser Cemetery columbarium area, 1601 Paterson Rd., Prosser, WA 99350 followed by Jim’s favorite dessert: ice cream.