William C. Bennett

William C. Bennett, 91, of Poplar Bluff died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Bennett was born March 28, 1919 in Ann Arbor, Mich. He graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1937 with special interest in engineering and scientific curriculums. Mr. Bennett attended Henry Ford Community College, Brooklyn (NY) School of Optics and Eastern Michigan University. He was employed as an engineer at Argus Camera Co. in Ann Arbor, and retired in 1976 as an analyst from Ford Motor Company. Mr. Bennett was a WWII Veteran having served 20 months in the Solomon Islands, and later on Guam. He was commissioned an officer in the Medical Service Corp. during the Korean Conflict and served in intelligence during the Russian cold war. After being placed on the retired list with over 20 years of service, he was formally honorably discharged in 1979 with the rank of Major.

Mr. Bennett enjoyed participating and watching most sports. In 1948, he umpired in the New York Giants Florida Training Camp. He also enjoyed both small and large game hunting in the United States and Canada and fresh and salt-water fishing as well.

On Oct. 4, 1947, he married Marcella B. Hale in Detroit, Mich. She preceded him in death on Sept. 11, 2007.

Mr. Bennett is survived by several nieces and nephews.

His parents, Clyde L. and Francis L. Bennett also preceded him in death.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the Chapel with Pastor James Huffman officiating and Passtor Robbie Hale assisting. Burial with full military honors will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Butler County.