Billy Gene Bennett, his friends knew as “Bill,” is now in the presence of Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. He passed away on Sept. 24, 2024, in Flagstaff. Bill was born Aug. 24, 1932, on a farm outside of Vardaman, Miss., to Albert and Ellice Bennett.
Bill attended Vardaman HS and Hinds Junior College in Raymond, Miss. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1952 with a BS and traveled west to work in Yellowstone Park, Wyo. After a brief stay, he moved to Ouray, Colo., to start his teaching career at Ouray Public Schools, teaching junior high in 1952. In 1953 he joined the US Navy and served on the USS Tarawa CVA40 and traveled the world (Uncle Sam paid for his trip). His rank was petty officer third class (PN 3) and he received the service awards National Defense Service Medal, Korean Medal, United Nations Medal, Navy Occupation Medal and China Service Medal.
In 1955, Bill moved to Winslow to teach. This is where he met and dated for six weeks, Juanita Lorraine Holland and married on Oct. 15, 1955, at First Baptist Church by Rev. Roy Matthews. They were married 54 years.
Bill continued to teach in Winslow and advanced his education with a Masters from Peabody/Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., in 1957 and advance studies at NAU, ASU and UA. He was promoted to principal at Winslow Public Schools from 1961 – 1970. Then he accepted an offer to become the superintendent of Joseph City Schools from 1970 – 1982.
After a brief retirement, Bill decided to run for Navajo County School Superintendent. The first election was so close it took several days to confirm the winner, and he won by 120 votes. He served as the Navajo County School Superintendent from 1984 – 2001.
He was recognized for his leadership in education with the Principal Recognition 1968, Small School Superintendent 2000, Navajo County Schools Superintendents Association 2000, Blue Ridge Unified School District 2000, Arizona County School Superintendents 2000 and the Joseph City school auditorium was named in his honor 2001.
Bill was an active member in the community by serving as president of the Winslow Kiwanis Club, president of the Holbrook Rotary Club, moderator of the Desert Pines Baptist Association, chairperson of the Administrative Team – Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, chairman of deacons at First Baptist Church in Winslow and First Baptist Church in Holbrook. He taught Bible study classes for juniors, youth, young adults, adults and senior adults. He took many church youth groups camping, hiking and sponsored youth outdoor activities.
He had an excitement for skiing, hiking, camping, cruising, reading and traveling. He was a world traveler. He enjoyed serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, doing church work with home and foreign missions, community service, visiting the elderly; sick, shut-ins and he loved education and encouraging students to become all they could be.
Bill is survived by three sons and one daughter and their spouses, Alan and Stephanie Bennett (Flagstaff), Rev. Daryl and Julie Bennett (Flagstaff), Rick and Gina Bennett (Franklin, Tenn.) and Lori Bennett (Seymour, Ind.); and seven grandchildren, Chris and Bre Bennett (Wisconsin), Ben and Alix Bennett (Tucson), Dr. Bethany and Brian Farretta (Phoenix), Casey Rucker (Seymour, Ind.), Michael Rucker and Lulu La Caleña (Columbus, Ind.), Ana and Shane Flatt (Jacksonville, N.C.) and Grant Bennett (Franklin, Tenn); and several great grand kids.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Ellice Bennett; his brothers, Henry Joe Bennett, J.D. Bennett, James A. Bennett; his sisters, Irene Stevens, Ruby Malone and Modene Westmoreland; his grandson, Craig Bennett; and niece, Gloria Michael. He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Juanita L Bennett.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct 19, 2024, at Joseph City High School BG Bennett Auditorium. Burial will follow at the Joseph City cemetery.
Bill requested any donations be made to ‘Lottie Moon Mission Fund,’ First Baptist Church, 360 1st Ave., Holbrook, Ariz., 86025 or to Joseph City High School, Drama & Music Scholarship Fund, PO Box 8, Joseph City, Ariz., 86032.
The fullness of Bill’s life can be summed up as, “Jesus paid it all.”
