HOUSTON -- Dozens of dignitaries joined hundreds of mourners in remembering former Treasury Secretary and Sen. Lloyd Bentsen at a memorial service Tuesday.

Former President Bill Clinton, who was accompanied by his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, delivered the eulogy at the noon service at First Presbyterian Church, located at 5300 Main St., which was held after a private graveside service for Bentsen's family.

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Video: Bentsen Remembered As Great Man
Video: Watch Bill Clinton's Eulogy For Lloyd Bentsen

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Clinton's eulogy was titled "Words from a Friend."

He began by listing all of Bentsen's personal, military, professional and political accomplishments.

Bentsen was the running mate of former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis in the 1988 presidential election.

"(He was) one of the very few candidates for vice president in the history of the republic who lost and came out better than when he went in," Clinton said. "Lloyd Bentsen lived a rich, full life in discipline, energy, grace and joy. He touched the lives of millions of others -- here in his beloved Texas, across the country and eventually all across the world."

Bentsen, who represented Texas in Congress for 28 years, died at his Houston home May 23 at age 85. He had been under a doctor's care and in a wheelchair since suffering two strokes in 1998.

As Clinton's first treasury secretary, serving from 1993-94, Bentsen enjoyed a higher profile than others in that job.

"When I was president-elect, he was the first person I asked to be in my cabinet. And, at the tender age of 71, a time when he could have, with great honor and grace, launched into a richly deserved private life, he agreed to become Treasury Secretary at one of the most challenging times for our country in modern history," Clinton said.

Bentsen also is credited with helping pass a plan providing billions to help Russia's economy as it teetered on financial collapse and could have "started the Cold War all over again," Clinton said.

"It (the aid) was opposed by 76 percent of the American people, but Lloyd knew it was right, and we got it through," Clinton said. "I say this just to remind you that in two short years that as the secretary of the treasury, he had a massive positive impact on people here at home and all around the world."

Bentsen stepped down after two years to spend more time with family.

"In the end, he valued heart and spirit and soul more than mind, connection and achievement," Clinton said. "And when you come to the end of a person's life, all that's left is what you hold in your heart."

Taking their seats before the service were former Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, former Secretary of State James Baker, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, former House Speaker Jim Wright, and U.S. Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn of Texas.

Among the more than 60 honorary pallbearers are Clinton; Dukakis; former President Bush; former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright, James Baker and Henry Kissinger; former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan; Lady Bird Johnson; former Texas Govs. Bill Hobby and Ann Richards; and Southwest Airlines Chairman Herb Kelleher.

In 1999 Clinton gave Bentsen the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Although Bentsen was in a wheelchair, "he still had that light in his eyes," Clinton said.

Bentsen, who flew bomber missions during World War II, began his political career in 1946 when he was elected Hidalgo County judge. He served in the U.S. House from 1948-55 and in the Senate from 1971-93. He made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976.

Bentsen: The Family Man

But Bentsen was first and foremost a family man, devoted to his wife of 63 years, Beryl Ann, known as B.A. He often joked that B.A. stood for "best asset." The couple had two sons, one daughter and seven grandchildren.

The scion of a wealthy Rio Grande Valley family, Bentsen first distinguished himself in World War II, where he flew 50 bomber missions over Europe.

A letter that Bentsen wrote to his father on Aug. 13, 1944, while he served in World War II was distributed at the memorial service. Bentsen described what it was alike aboard a bomber mission.

At the end, it read, "Dad, I haven't told Beryl Ann and mom about my flying combat because Don (Bentsen's brother) and me are both in it, I’m afraid it would be just too much. Beryl Ann has too much to worry about now with the baby expected in October. Just in case anything should ever happen to me, I want you to know how things stood and make them understand. Dad, nothing will happen. It just couldn't to a fellow who has the finest family in the world waiting for him. This morning, I am another day nearer to my returning home."