- Date Of Birth: September 26, 1920
- Date Of Death: August 03, 2015
- State: Indiana
Charles W. Bill Bennett, age 94 of Swayzee, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Elwood. He was born in Charleston W.V. on September 26, 1920, to the late Frank A. and Blanche (Richardson) Bennett.
Bill was a proud United States Army veteran, retiring as a Major in 1963 from Ft. Bliss, Texas with twenty-three years of service. He served in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II, having participated in the Invasion of North Africa; the Invasions of Sicily and Italy; the D-Day Invasion, fighting on Utah Beach; and the Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded.
During the Battle of the Bulge, Bill was present when a messenger with a German message was brought before General McAuliffe and told the general that the Allied forces were surrounded. To this, General McAuliffe famously exclaimed Nuts, and continued the fight into Germany. Later in his military career after World War II, he served in Korea, Austria, Italy, Japan, and the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
After retirement, he served as an executive director for the Chamber of Commerce in Frankfort, Goshen, Crawfordsville, and Elwood. After his career with the Chamber, he worked as a dispatcher for Fettig, later known as Red Gold. He received his GED in the U.S. Army and an Associates in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Bill was a member and good supporter of Jones Chapel and also a member of the Retired Officers Association.
He was always known for his photographic memory and his love of Gods nature whether it was hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping. He was also a lover of Dr. Pepper. Bill is survived by his wife of 70 years, Treva E. (Seeley) Bennett. There were married on April 29, 1945, at Jones Chapel Church. Also surviving are their two children; Jo Lynn Pence and William Van (Doris) Bennett both of Swayzee, IN 5 Grandchildren; Heath (Kelli) Bennett, Hendersonville, TN Brandon (Sarah) Bennett, Jennifer Pence, Swayzee, IN Angela (Jerry) Ballew, Frankfort, IN DAndrea (Brian) Cress. 7 Great Grandchildren; Dakota, Kennedy, Kate, Ericka, Dustin, Allison, and Kayla. 1 Great-Great-Grandchild, Leo Sister, Jean Cunningham, Woodriver, IL 2 Sisters-in-law; Marilyn McGraw, Fairmount and Arlene (Don) Strong, San Antonio, TX.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Judy Bennett McKee and his sister, Millie Stark.
