CURWENSVILLE — William J. "Bill" Benamati, 47, of Curwensville, Clearfield County and formerly of Barnesboro, passed away in the loving arms of his wife on Friday, July 29, 2016 at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Md. after a lengthy battle with Familial Amyloidosis.

Born on Oct. 12, 1968, he was a son of Jean M. (Tomallo) Benamati and the late David R. Benamati, who preceded him in death on Nov. 24, 2007.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Julie M. (Kline) Benamati, whom he married at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Nicktown on May 26, 1990. Together they have three children, Alyssa Kate, Adam William and Ashton James, all of Curwensville.

Bill is also survived by a sister, Gina M. (Barry) Long of Penfield; a brother, Christopher R. Benamati and his companion, Tina Scott of Northern Cambria; his mother and father-in-law, John and Linda (Lantzy) Kline of Nicktown; a brother-in-law, Matthew J. (Kathleen) Kline of Frostburg, Md., three sisters-in-law, Kelly A. (Frank) Nicolini of Buford, Ga., Molly L. (Ritchie) Barlow of Hickory, N.C., and Lori E. (Jonathan) Rossio of Frederick, Md.; also numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his older brother, David V. Benamati on May 31, 2009; maternal grandparents, John C. and Magdalena Tomallo; and paternal grandparents, Delmo and Mary Benamati.

Bill was Roman Catholic by faith and a first-degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He taught religious education for many years at St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church, Curwensville.

He was a 1986 graduate of Northern Cambria High School, a 1988 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, and a 1989 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He was a licensed funeral director for 26 years. He was a former Service Corporation International location manager at Bennett and Houser Funeral Home Inc. of Clearfield and Mohney-Yargar Funeral Chapel Inc. of DuBois before retiring in 2013 due to his illness. He continued to serve families occasionally at Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home Inc., Curwensville, until his death.

He was a member of the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association, Clearfield-Jefferson Funeral Directors Association, former board member of Clearfield County United Way, past president of Rotary Club of Northern Cambria, and a former Curwensville T-Ball coach.

Bill received a simultaneous heart and liver transplant on Feb. 21, 2011, in Baltimore, Md., in his fight against Familial Amyloidosis. The generosity of his donor family provided him with almost six years more years of life with his beloved family. He was a volunteer speaker for Donate Life Pennsylvania and the Center for Organ Recovery & Education.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Nicktown, with the Rev. Fr. Michael Gabler officiating. Interment will follow at St. Nicholas Church Cemetery.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at The Bennett and Houser Funeral Home Inc., 312 E. Locust St., Clearfield, and on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Moriconi Funeral Home Inc., Bigler Avenue, Northern Cambria, where a Vigil Service will be held at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Bill requested memorial donations be made in his name for his family to CNB Bank, Attn: Jo Maines-Lowman, 1 S. Second St., Clearfield, PA 16833.

To send online tributes go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.

The Bennett and Houser Funeral Home Inc. of Clearfield is in charge of arrangements.