William "Willie" Walter Benedetti

On September 28, 2018, surrounded by those who loved him, William “Willie” Benedetti died at the age of 69 from cancer.

A life-long Sonoma-Marin rancher born on July 23, 1949, Willie was a fun-loving, hard-working, generous man who enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, and watching western movies. Taking his fashion cues from no one, his signature everyday look was his and his alone: a plain pocketed button-up Ben Davis shirt, cargo shorts, flip flops, Willie Bird jacket and hat and you can’t forget the Dutch Master’s cigar.

A fourth-generation rancher, Willie Benedetti was just 14 when, in 1963, he rerouted the family into raising turkeys for the dinner table. As a Future Farmers of America project, the Sonoma Valley High School freshman hatched nearly 500 turkey eggs and raised the birds for sale as holiday dinners. This was the beginning of what would eventually become Benedetti Farms and Willie Bird Turkeys.

Benedetti was a partner in Benedetti Farms and in the Willie Birds’ Restaurant, consistently praised as one of the region’s greatest old-school bars and dining spots.  "He loved his business," said Arthur Benedetti of Petaluma, one of Benedetti's two sons.

Willie’s greatest enjoyment came from spending time with friends and family, including long-time employees, fellow-ranchers, and countless customers. Predeceased by his parents, Walter and Aloha Benedetti, Willie is survived by his son, Arthur, and daughter-in-law, Debbie, grandchildren, Zachary and Emma, and son, Arron.

For those who want to honor Willie and his memory, donations can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society by visiting www.cancer.org and choosing “donate now” or by calling the American Cancer Society in Santa Rosa at 707-545-6720.

Having clearly led a life well lived, Willie Benedetti will be incredibly missed by all who knew him.