Willmon “Bill” Bennett
December 16th, 1933 - March 8th, 2023
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Bill's Obituary
Willmon (Bill) Wardell Bennett was the fifth child of thirteen born to Luster and Enola Bennett on December 16, 1933 in Bentonia, Mississippi. Bill attended Yazoo City High School where he also served as the school bus driver while a student. After graduating high school in 1952, he was drafted and served in the United States Navy from March 1956 – October 1957. He moved to Chicago, IL where he studied to become a heavy equipment mechanic at Greer Technical Institute. Bill met Mary Alice Peyton (deceased September 1, 1978) while in Chicago, and they were married on April 5, 1958. To this union was born Renee, Sharon, Mia and Michael. In 1967, Bill moved his family to Michigan after his good friend and co-worker, Wendell Turner, told him about a house for sale with enough land for farming. Bill resided at this same home until his death on March 8, 2023.
Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age and was baptized at Ogden Missionary Baptist Church in Bentonia. After moving to Chicago, he became a member of Greater Bethesda Baptist Church. And upon relocating to Michigan, the entire family joined Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Covert, Michigan where Bill was ordained a deacon under the pastorate of Rev. Willie Lewis. In 1978 the family moved membership to Covert Community Church where Bill served as chairman of the steward board for many years.
In 1980, he met and married Gladys Hollins (deceased March 19, 2017). Together they traveled the world to such places as South Africa and Hawaii.
Bill worked as a mechanic at Liberty Trucking and retired from United Parcel Service in 1996 after 28 years of service. He loved fishing for bluegill, bass and yellow perch and planting a garden every year with a crop big enough to share with the community. And he baked the best apple pie you’d ever taste.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Mary Alice, second wife Gladys, brothers L. Vester and James, sisters Lula Olevia Livingston, Lillie Louise Ray, Mada Grace Bennett and Tee Dessa Veal and step daughter Betty Miller.
He leaves to cherish in memory his children Renee (George) Wright of South Haven, MI; Sharon Bennett of Allen, TX; Mia Bennett of Coloma, MI; Michael (Elena) Bennett of Avondale, AZ and step son Harvey (June) Hollins of Las Vegas, NV; sisters Loretta Gresham (Bentonia, MS), Autri Evans (Steilacoom, WA), Zee Nell Stinson (Bentonia, MS) and Catherlean Green (Columbia, MD); brothers Franklin (Vivian) Bennett (Hampton, GA) and Norman (Mimi) Bennett (Clinton, MS); and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
A Wake will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Filbrandt Chapel, 1076 South Bailey Avenue, South Haven, Michigan, from 11 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12 p.m. Pastor Terri Mahone will officiate. Bill will be laid to rest at Fish Cemetery in Covert Michigan. To view Bill’s personal webpage please visit; www.starksfamilyfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel- Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age and was baptized at Ogden Missionary Baptist Church in Bentonia. After moving to Chicago, he became a member of Greater Bethesda Baptist Church. And upon relocating to Michigan, the entire family joined Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Covert, Michigan where Bill was ordained a deacon under the pastorate of Rev. Willie Lewis. In 1978 the family moved membership to Covert Community Church where Bill served as chairman of the steward board for many years.
In 1980, he met and married Gladys Hollins (deceased March 19, 2017). Together they traveled the world to such places as South Africa and Hawaii.
Bill worked as a mechanic at Liberty Trucking and retired from United Parcel Service in 1996 after 28 years of service. He loved fishing for bluegill, bass and yellow perch and planting a garden every year with a crop big enough to share with the community. And he baked the best apple pie you’d ever taste.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Mary Alice, second wife Gladys, brothers L. Vester and James, sisters Lula Olevia Livingston, Lillie Louise Ray, Mada Grace Bennett and Tee Dessa Veal and step daughter Betty Miller.
He leaves to cherish in memory his children Renee (George) Wright of South Haven, MI; Sharon Bennett of Allen, TX; Mia Bennett of Coloma, MI; Michael (Elena) Bennett of Avondale, AZ and step son Harvey (June) Hollins of Las Vegas, NV; sisters Loretta Gresham (Bentonia, MS), Autri Evans (Steilacoom, WA), Zee Nell Stinson (Bentonia, MS) and Catherlean Green (Columbia, MD); brothers Franklin (Vivian) Bennett (Hampton, GA) and Norman (Mimi) Bennett (Clinton, MS); and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
A Wake will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Filbrandt Chapel, 1076 South Bailey Avenue, South Haven, Michigan, from 11 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12 p.m. Pastor Terri Mahone will officiate. Bill will be laid to rest at Fish Cemetery in Covert Michigan. To view Bill’s personal webpage please visit; www.starksfamilyfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel- Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.