William H. "Bill" Bennett, Jr.

William H. Bennett, Jr., age 93, of Valdosta, Georgia passed away in his home on December 14, 2020. “Bill” was born February 15, 1927 in Tampa, Florida to the late William H. Bennett, Sr., and Cora Kinsey Bennett. Bill joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. After graduating from Florida State University, he was called back into service where he served as a Lieutenant until 1953.
Bill and Irene moved to Valdosta in 1955 where he began teaching and coaching football, basketball, and golf at Valdosta High School. He joined the SEC Basketball Officiate League in 1964 were he officiated for fifteen years. He taught at Valdosta State College for twelve years.
In 1972 Bill decided to leave education and became a partner in the Kentucky Fried Chicken Business of Valdosta. He and Irene bought into the business as franchisees and went on to own KFC stores in Waycross, Nashville, Thomasville, and Cairo. In 2010 Bill finally retired and his two daughters, Carolyn and Gretchen took over the business.
Apart from his careers Bill enjoyed fishing; he always found comfort in simply being still while enjoying nature. He truly loved to fish. Bill also enjoyed his community; he served on the Valdosta State Board of Trustees, the Waycross Board of Trustees, and the Turner Center of the Arts Board. He was an active member and Sunday school teacher at Park Avenue United Methodist Church for many years.
Bill was loved by his family and friends. He truly did more for others than he did for himself. He was kind and generous as well as hard-working and tough. You always knew where you stood with him, if you needed to do better, he would tell you, if you were doing a good job, he would tell you; always honest.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Irene Blalock Bennett; his daughter, Carolyn Bennett Betters; son in law, Carl Powell; two granddaughters, Ryan Moore Watson, and Michelle Irene Horton Betters; and two great grandchildren, Madison Ann Wisham and William Gavin Watson. He is preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Bennett Cox, his brother, Kenneth Leon Bennett, and his daughter Gretchen Bennett Powell.
A private graveside service was held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens where he was laid to rest. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home served the Bennett family.