William Howard Bennett Obituary (2023)

William "Bill" Howard Bennett was born in Missoula, Montana, on February 13, 1937, to Edwin Russell Bennett and Pearl Louise Ladiges Bennett. He was raised with his brothers in Superior, Montana, where adventures ruled the day. During those growing up years, Bill delivered newspapers, worked on a dairy farm, worked for a construction company, and was part of the Northern Pacific Railroad crew. He also worked for the Diamond Match Corporation. He attended the Methodist Church and was active in high school athletics, football, basketball, and baseball, at Superior High School, until his graduation in 1955. Bill had a football scholarship to Whitworth College (now Whitworth University), but the summer before he was to start college, he fell 32 feet off a bridge, breaking his back and narrowly missing a rock that could have made his fall fatal. He has always thought it was by the grace of God that he wasnt killed. Though he couldnt play football, Whitworth honored his scholarship by making him an athletic trainer. During his junior year in college, while working construction, Bill met his future wife, Maridean Flower, whom he married August 27, 1960, in the Methodist Church in Rockford, Washington. Bill and Maridean moved to Othello, Washington, where Bill taught math and science and coached wrestling, as well as assisted in football and baseball. During most summers he drove truck in the wheat harvest for relatives in Mansfield, Washington. Every fall he and several teacher friends hunted ducks, often before school in the mornings. Their first child, Timothy William, was born August 23, 1961, in Spokane. Their second son, Roger Dean, was born March 19, 1963, in Othello. The family remained in Othello for six years. At the end of Bills last year at Othello High School, he was given the honor of "Teacher of the Year." After a year in Spokane, earning an M.Ed. degree from Whitworth, and the birth of their daughter, Laurel Kristine, on July 17, 1967, the family moved to Richland, Washington. There Bill was vice principal at Chief Joseph Jr. High and later an administrator at the new Hanford School. During the years in Richland, in addition to his busy life at school, Bill extensively remodeled their house, which he has done to nearly every house they have owned. He also refereed wrestling and was an elder at West Side United Protestant Church. Their fourth child, Steve, joined the family on December 19, 1971, in Richland. After 11 years in Richland, Bill and his family moved to Yakima, in 1978, where they have continued to live. Bill was the West Valley High School principal for two years, before becoming elementary principal at Mt. View and then Summitview Elementary. While at Summitview, he had a very unexpected heart bypass surgery. However, after a few years his strength returned, and he realized he could do nearly everything he had ever done. Bill retired in 1994, and after a brief time selling playground equipment, he began teaching part-time in the Basic Education Department of Yakima Valley Community College, first at the Toppenish site, and then for many years at the Yakima County Jail. Over the years, Bill has been active in West Valley Kiwanis and Westminster Presbyterian Church (now Yakima Covenant Church), as an elder and then as cook for the monthly mens breakfast. He flew remote-control airplanes for several years and took up tennis at age 70, playing every week. Every winter he skied with a group of friends as well. He always has had a project, either at home or at one of the kids homes. At different times he has had beehives and enjoyed giving honey to friends and relatives. Bill had several expressions the family will always remember: "Huzzabadoo," "A Dollar Three-Ninety-Five," and "Whatever it Takes." A quote from his children: "Dad can do anything!" Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Russell and Pearl Bennett, his younger brother, Larry Bennett, and several relatives. Bill is survived by his wife, Maridean, brothers, Raymond (Mary) Bennett, and Shorty (Marcella) Bennett, kids, Tim (Suzie) Bennett, Roger (Susie) Bennett, Laurie (Steve) Jackson, and Steve (Tami) Bennett, grandchildren, Bennett Gerhardstein, Dylan Bennett, Mary Jo Gerhardstein, Brooke Bennett, Kellie Niehues, and Kylie Schrag, and many well-loved step-grandchildren. How grateful the family is for the terrific care Bill received with Memorial Hospice and Cottage in the Meadow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift made payable to the Haiti Foundation of Hope (haitifoundationofhope.org). Contributions may be sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. A service in honor of Bill and the God he spent his life serving will be held Friday, August 11, 2023, at 3:00pm, at Yakima Covenant Church, with a Reception to follow. A Graveside Service at Rockford Fairview Cemetery will take place at a later date. To share memories and condolences, visit www.brooksidfuneral.com.