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Troy Heaton Bench, affectionately known as “T-bone,” passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 29, 2025, from complications with cancer (esophageal adenocarcinoma). He was diagnosed in August 2019.
Troy was born to John L Bench and Linda Heaton Berrett on June 22, 1970, in Provo, Utah. He married Kimberli Knaphus Bench and together they raised five children: Jordan Kimball Bench (Abbey Kener), Matthew McKay Bench, Anna Esther Bench (Samuel Nelson), Makaela Ruth Bench (Graden Jackson) and Emma Elizabeth Bench.
Troy spent his career of more than 26 years as a mortgage broker and real estate agent, forming numerous friendships and leaving a lasting impact through his honesty and genuine care for others. He was known throughout the Draper community not only for his professional integrity but also for his dedication to service, including serving as a beloved bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His spiritual guidance, faith, and humor touched the lives of many. He would never shy away from asking someone how their relationship with God was and challenging them to make it better.
To know Troy was to be his friend—he loved people and always enjoyed talking and making them laugh. Troy’s infectious energy was evident in his love for sports, especially BYU athletics. The vibrant blue of BYU was a fitting representation of Troy’s joyful, lively, and passionate personality. He could often be spotted wearing his BYU visor and enthusiastically cheering on his Cougars. In lieu of flowers, please cheer extra loudly for BYU’s football team next season.
Troy enjoyed staying active through mountain biking, running, swimming, and pickleball—always welcoming friends into his circle. Troy cherished time spent at the local gym, where conversations were just as important as workouts.
Above all, Troy's legacy is defined by his kindness, humor, and deep love for people. He effortlessly formed meaningful connections everywhere he went and was known for bringing laughter and positivity into any situation.
To celebrate his life, his family will hold a funeral service beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025 at the Corner Canyon Stake Center (13366 South 1300 East, Draper, UT 84020). A viewing will be held at the same location on Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and again on Friday prior to the funeral beginning at 8:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy, Utah.
Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the previously held services, please click the “Watch Services” icon above.
A digital memory portfolio has been created to share memories and condolences with the family. You’re welcome to share memories and messages here: https://forms.gle/AVMGAWMwYqcgHmnX9
Guestbook/Condolences
We love Troy deeply. He was truly a man of honor, humility, and integrity. He was a dear friend and without asking, he was at our home working on our 4-wheeler to see if he could fix it. His fun sense of humor had us laughing. We enjoyed talking about BYU! Oh how are true blue and kind friend Troy Bench will be missed.
Troy, I will miss your smiling face my brother. I thoroughly enjoyed all of our conversations and I will never forget your laugh! I appreciate you allowing me to be in your world in the last months of your life! Peace my brother and I will hold you close to my heart! You're an impeccable human and I thank you for being you!
Our hearts are so broken Troy is truly one of the most amazing men we know! We are out of town and so sad to not be able to hug you in person. We will be watching and praying for peace for your family. Love you all.
Kim, we love you and are praying for your peace and comfort! May the comforter be with you and your family evermore now and forever! We Love You and Troy! You both have taught us so much! Forever, Much Love & Affection! Kevin & Cindy Peay
Dear Kim and family,
I was truly heartbroken to hear about Troy. I can’t begin to imagine the pain you’re feeling, but please know how deeply sorry I am for your loss.
You and Troy always had such a strong and beautiful connection. The love you shared, and the amazing family you built together, is something that will live on in so many ways.
Thinking back to our days at BYUH, I remember so many great moments and how much I admired the way you supported each other. That bond was always something special.
Please don’t hesitate to lean on your friends—we’re here for you, now more than ever.
Sending you so much love, strength, and all my heartfelt prayers.
With all my love and deepest sympathy,
Ana
Mr Troy.
I still remember our talks on college. We babysat for you and Kim to get you out of the house.
I remember you as kind, understanding og humble. I am so sorry about this. I will always remember you.
I first met Troy about 3 years ago at the gym. He made me feel like an old friend almost immediately with his genuine questions about my life and family. As new pickleball players, John Russell and I once played him and his pickleball partner. They dissected quickly over many games however took the time after to give us pointers with humility and complimentary support. Each interaction was always filled with a feeling of love and caring, this despite his suffering over the past few years. Thanks for leaving your mark on me, Troy. Your bright smile and kindness will be missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Troy was the greatest man. We loved him. Such a loving friend and neighbor. God bless you Kim and your family.
Kim, you and Troy have had a lasting impact on my life. From having you as my young woman's teacher, and babysitting your children as your family grew, I felt very close to the bench family. Troy was always so kind and gentle with me. His sense of humor and his laughter are something that I will always remember. When I looked at examples of relationships and honoring each other as husband and wife yours always came to mind. The love that you had for each other radiated outward. I am very grateful to have known Troy, and my heart aches for you at this huge loss. One thing that I know is that death is only a doorway, and that our loved ones are close. I believe my mom was there to welcome Troy with open arms. I'm sending you so much love and divine protection at this time as you move through this phase of grief. Know that you are loved beyond measure, and I'm here if you need anything.
Hey Troy, I’m going to miss you, you were a friend to me for 40 years. I met Troy in 1979, I was 10 years old, he was 11. I watched you play sports in High School, and you were good. As time went on, I lost contact with Troy, and then years later, I saw him at the gym. Troy, you are gone way to soon, I know your pain free now, and in a good place. I will celebrate your life on Friday, I’m going to miss you, I love you, Troy.
Dear Kim, we offer you our sincerest condolences, prayers and love as you more than the loss of your dear husband. Through the years, David and I have enjoyed rubbing shoulders with you and Troy, whether during trek, stake gatherings, Stake Mission prep, and other Circumstances. We deeply admire you and your husband and appreciate, especially your faith in Jesus Christ and the plan of happiness. We attest to Troy‘s fine character, immense love and devotion to family, faith, and friends. We will always remember him and our prayers continue for you as you plug along and continue your beautiful life.
I am deeply saddened to hear about Troy’s passing.
I first met him 38 years ago when I had the privilege of coaching his brother Matt in Little League football. Decades later, our paths crossed again when I had the honor of coaching his son Jordon. Through the years, I always knew Troy to be a good man—kind, dedicated, and someone who made a lasting impact on those around him. He will surely be missed.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the memories you shared and the legacy he leaves behind.
Rest in peace my friend♥️
T
I got to know troy while serving in the Taipei, Taiwan mission. He came to the mission several months after me, but I remember enjoying his positive energy. He was kind and honest, and a hard worker. My deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.
Love you bro
I am very sorry to see you go so soon, Troy. I know you are resting in the Lord's peace, and I will miss you deeply.
From coaching our boys in football with Coach Eyre, to attempting the latest and greatest exercise routines at 5am every morning, to throwing pinecones at each other over our shared backyard fence whenever there was yard work to do. I will miss you in many ways TB. I knew every Halloween you would be stopping by for my chili so I always put a little extra spice in your bowl to watch you squirm. FYI - I stopped making chili when you stopped coming over. That’s the impact your laugh and fun spirit had on people. We laughed at everything. Especially when coach Eyre would try to get serious in practice with his high pitched yelling. You are a great example of the simple ‘love of life’. Having a hard week thinking of you. Will miss you dearly.
Our hearts go out to your family! We love Troy and the Benches! I have such good memories of Troy coming over to our house growing up, making us all laugh, eating lots of food, and having fun with us, Sean’s sisters. Troy is one of a kind and we will miss his humor, energy, and example. I have learned so much from Troy and Kim’s faith and patience. Thank you for sharing your stories with us all. Love you guys ❤️
My heart swells with a mixture of feelings. I am heartbroken for Kim and family, but also exceptionally grateful for Troy’s life. He was an important friend in our crucial formative years. He had a warm and generous personality, and a smile bigger than Texas. His positive attitude, kindness and self deprecating humor made him a great teammate and friend. Troy knew how to have fun but also knew what brought real joy. He was faithful and obedient but never self righteous. He worked hard but never took himself too seriously. I’m eternally grateful for his influence and goodness.
My love and prayers are with you and your family. What can I do to help you and your family?
Dear Kim and Bench Family- you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We have been praying for you all for a long time now and including you on the temple roll, along with your beloved Troy (dad). It was an honor to serve with both your mom and dad in Taiwan many years ago. I got to be in the MTC with Troy and we had a lot of fun learning Mandarin together. I loved serving with Kim in Taidung. I know that powerful missionary (Elder Bench) is doing amazing work on the other side of the veil and I know he will continue to send his love to each of you, as my own father has for me (he died when I was only 11 years old). We hope to see you in Draper now that we just recently moved to the area. Our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Shawn and Julie Hostetter
We are the parents of Brent Rose and we came by Thursday evening to the viewing of this great man and close (like a brother) friend of Our son. He helped Brent at a hard time in his life and we are forever grateful for Troy and his loving influence. I remember seeing you in Nephi at the Ute Stampede and Troy told me Brent will be OK. Brent loved working with Troy and the great times of talking and laughing about life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family. Brent is so sorry he cannot make the trip here from Texas. So we were glad we could come and give you a hug. Huge line and lots of BYU shirts!! Loved it and the line showed your family’s impact and love to many people. God bless you and keep you strong and Troy close by. We love you and you are in our prayers. Love, Chuck and Nancy Rose.
II wish to send my sincerest condolences to the family of Troy and Kim Bench. He had a very profound influence on my childhood and was like a big brother to me. I have so many treasured memories with Troy. We spent many summer days playing on Grandpa's farm, having adventures at the family cabin or spending nights at Grandma's house. Whatever Troy was doing was always exciting and he was always the best at whatever hie did. I always looked up to him and I will always be grateful for the profound impact he had on my life.
As the oldest boy cousin in the Bench family, Troy had a bunch of younger admirers - and he didn't disappoint. He was a wonderful example to them all as he excelled in school, became a star athlete in high school, served an honorable mission, completed his college education and MARRIED WELL. We always looked forward to Troy and Kim's
annual Christmas card because we knew it would include a fun photo of beautiful people who genuinely enjoyed being together. Troy will be missed by so many. Thankfully, we know he was welcomed by many more.
Love,
Aunt Peggy
I miss you Troy and our community and lives will never be the same without you around. I will miss you at the gym, talking about your game of pickleball and getting pointers, how things are going with your call as Bishop, and how you are fighting through the pain you feel from your cancer. You are an inspiration to me and SO many others. If I am ever able to create 1/2 the number of friendships you've nurished over your tragically reduced time on this earth, I will have accomplishing something great. God bless you and your wonderful family. What a beautiful tribute to you today at your funeral! You've raised an incredible family!
Troy to one of nicest guys I ever new I e we I’ll miss your friendship
Troy was so good to me and my family. I will be eternally grateful for the help he gave us at a disastrous time. I always enjoyed when he came into the barbershop. He really would light up the room with his jovial manner. I have missed seeing him at the shop and will definitely miss him now. My condolences to his family. He is free from his pain and I am sure he will be carrying on his righteous influence on the other side. Go Cougs!!!
I’m absolutely shocked to hear of Troy’s passing. While we weren’t the best of friends, Troy was a good man. I’m proud to say I knew him. I send my sincerest condolences, and know he’s working hard on the other side.