Bennie Joe Sapien

Bennie was born in Merced, CA to Benito and Frances Sapien on December 31, 1946 and passed away at the age of 70 on April 3, 2017. He was a kind and generous person who was always there to help anyone in need. He was a hard worker and instilled the same work ethic into his children. At the age of 18 he became a truck driver and drove for many years.

Bennie enjoyed working on classic cars and trucks and passed down that passion to his sons. In the late 1970's he formed a truck club called Valley Classics with his 1977 Chevy stepside. Through the years he had many projects and most recently a 1956 Oldsmobile Holiday 98. In the late 1990's, with the help of his sons, he restarted a custom car and hot rob club called Satan's Chauffeurs. He really enjoyed working on the cars and going to shows with his family.

Bennie enjoyed taking "spur of the moment" trips with friends and family to places like Colombia, Jamestown, San Francisco and Santa Cruz. He also loved music and dancing and one of his fondest memories was teaching his grandchildren to swing dance.

Bennie is preceded in death by his grandparents; Vincent and Maria Chavez and Catarino and Guadalupe Sapien, and his parents Benito and Frances Sapien.

He is survived by his loving wife, Celina of 42 years, children; Vincent (Dana), Bennie (Allysha), Ricky (Jenna), and grandchildren; Jake, Lily and Cash. He is also survived by his sister; Kathy Reyes (Albert) and 5 nieces and 8 nephews.

A visitation will be held Monday April 10th from 2-7pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home followed by a rosary at 7pm. Mass will be held Tuesday April 11th at 11:30am at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Atwater. Burial at Calvary Cemetery immediately following.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.