York was born in Cedar City Utah on July 10, 1947 to Jay and Ruth Parashonts Benson.  York passed away from Covid on March 19, 2023 at the St. George Regional Hospital.

York was educated by Cedar elementaries and a graduate of Cedar High School. Where he was actively involved in sports, basketball, track, baseball and especially loved football. York was a walk on for the University of Utah Utes football team which he was very proud of.  Family circumstances forced him to return back to Cedar. York continued his education at Southern Utah State College and completed a certificate program in building construction, he took pride in his participation in building a home from the ground up. 

He married Claudina Teller and he lovingly became father to her daughter Selena and they welcomed their son Bruce.  They were later divorced. During this time he was employed by the Kaibab Paiute tribe and helped build homes, gymnasium and camper trailer park. 

He became employed by Energy Fuels in Fredonia, AZ, and was sent to the College of Eastern Utah Mining program.  He worked there as an underground miner and he continued his interest in mining history.

In 1987 he married Gloria Bulletts and became the father to her daughter Nicole, and then along came their son Leander.

York has been employed by the Utah State Job Service, Paiute Tribe of Utah as Housing Director and later as facilities maintenance director; and  he worked for the Kaibab Paiute tribe.  York served his people as a Band tribal council member, Housing committee member and proudly initiated the Cedar Band Elders group.

In 2012 he was on the kidney donor list and in less than a year a suitable match was found in Diana Hawks. Together they formed a bond, and he was forever grateful to her.

York was a sports fan, his favorite teams were the Utah Utes and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he loved going to support his grandchildren in their various sporting events. York enjoyed gardening and he would share the produce within his community. There were many stories of his hunting and fishing trips he liked to share and some may have had that extra flair to them only York could add. He will be deeply missed by all of his family.

York is survived by his wife Gloria; his children Selena (Kendrick) Rocha; Bruce (Melissa) Benson, and Nicole Bulletts; his 6 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. York is also survived by sisters Jolene Turnvall and Melanie Benson; brother Scott Benson; and special cousin Travis Parashonts.

He was preceded in passing by his parents, son Leander,  brothers Hamilton, Calvin and Spencer, and sisters Pamelia and Oleda.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the ICU nurses,  doctors, and Hospice care at the St. George Regional hospital.

The funeral services will be held on Friday March 24, 2023 at 10 am (AZ time) at the gym. Traditional sing will begin at 7 pm, following dinner at 5 pm on Thursday March 23, 2023 in the Kaibab gym.

Under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary