Billy Bennett
Billy L. Bennett age 83, of Quincy died at 6:10 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2009 in Blessing Hospital after a short illness. He was born May 16, 1926 in Quincy a son of LeRoy and Jewell (Medaris) Bennett. He married Carlene Cramsey on April 3, 1948 in Quincy’s St. Francis Catholic Church and she preceded him in death on January 24, 2007.
Billy worked at Eli Walker and then was a machinist at Gardner Denver for over 30 yeras. He had been a member of the Adams County Board since since 1978 and was proud of being selected for the 911 Committee, the transportation, building and technology committee and the Two Rivers committee. Presently a member of the Church of St. Peter Catholic Church, he was formerly a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and All Saints Parish.
Billy was proud to have served his country in the Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He also served in the Naval Reserve. He was a Troop Leader of Pack 1 of St. John’s Parish and former member of the Ushers and Seniors Clubs at the parish. He was a former member of the Parent’s Association of St. John’s, Notre Dame and Christian Brothers High Schools. Billy was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree and was Past Grand Knight. He served as Building Chairman during the purchasing of the land and construction of the building now located on South 36th St. He was a volunteer for the Mass for the Shut-in’s for many years. He was given the honor of “Life Time Member” of the Triple OaksClub. He was a member of the Labor Union Machinists Local #822. He had been a union representative for the Labor Union and participated in union negotiations for the Adams County Employees.
Billy always told everyone he met how he was the “richest man in the world” because of the 6 children, 18 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren that he and Carlene had.
Survivors include: SIX CHILDREN: Bonnie Perrine and her husband Larry of Quincy ; Diana Seibert and her husband John of Hamilton, IL; David Bennett and his wife Dorothy “Dart” of Jacksonville, FL; Teresa Dye; Marcia Bergman and her husband Danny both of Quincy; and Steven Bennett and his wife Kathy who had lived with and lovingly taken care of him in his home since his wife’s passing .
EIGHTEEN GRANDCHILDREN: Melissa Perrine, Robert Perrine and his wife Holly; Mathew Perrine and his wife Amber; Rebecca Perrine; Angela Allen and her husband John; Lisa Boyles and her husband Michael; Dawn Croll and her husband Shawn; David Lee Bennett and his wife Nickie; Jordan Bennett; Christopher Dye and his wife Marion; Kristie Dye; Tyrene White and her husband Jeff; Michael Bergman and his wife Jordan; James “Jamie” Bergman; Elizabeth Bergman and her significant other Tom Wellman; Brian Bergman, Bradley Bennett and Kerri Bennett.
EIGHTEEN GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Zachary, Savannah and Mason Perrine; Paige, Isaac, Benjamin and Natalie Perrine; Noah, Michael and Lydia Allen; Justin & Logan Boyles; Shawn D., Kyle & Halie Croll; Abigail and Jaycob White; Donavan Bergman and a new Bergman baby boy due in August. Sisters and brothers in law Mary (Cramsey) Starman and Ruth (Cramsey) Henze and her husband Harold; and Willard Buss. Several nieces, nephews, friends, fellow politicians and fellow Casino patrons also survive.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, in-laws, E.W. and Lydia (Markword) Cramsey; son-in-law, Brent Dye, brother and sister in law, Ollie Bennett and his wife Betty; a sister-in-law, Jeri (Cramsey) Buss and a brother-in-law Glen Starman.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anthony Catholic Church by Rev. Thomas Hagstrom. Interment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus service. Memorials are suggested to Cornerstone Foundation for Families, K of C Mass for Shut In’s or to Blessing Foundation for HOSPICE.
even though i only meet ya twice.we always had good conversations in politics..even though you did most of the talking..just sitting out back listening to you go on about history was relaxing..i really hope their is an after life..cause i believe you were a good man,and being good should count for something..
We are thinking and praying for you at this sad time in your lives. May he rest in peace with Carlene back at his side. He was a great guy, we shall miss him and his many funny ways.
I send my sincere condolences to the family of Billy Bennett. Even though I did not know him personally, I have had the opportunity to know, and have as a friend, his daughter, Diana. He must have been a wonderful, kind man, with a great sense of humor, to have passed those traits along to his children.
My thoughts and prayers are with Billy’s entire family, and especially my euchre friends Teresa and Marcia. Your dad was always very good to me both professionally and personally, and I always enjoyed running in to him. He will be missed.
Matt
We are very sorry for your loss. Your father was such a wonderful man and was so much fun to be around. You could always tell how much he loved and cared about his family. He will truly be missed.
Bonnie, you are your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Rose Hamann
To your entire family
I am sorry for your loss, I have know you father for a long time and he was a very kind and wonderful man. I always enjoyed seeing he at the ballgames, he always had a good word and a smile when anyone talked with him, he will be missed.
Sorry that I could not stop by to be with you as I am out of the country at this time, but know all of you are in my prayers and thoughts and may God bless you and comfort you at this time.
Mark and Laurie Morrison.
Billy had a way to endear himself to you. He had a zest of life, a real optimistic point-of-view. He was proud of his family, he loved you each very much.
Whether through the Triple Oaks Club or serving with him on the Adams Co. Board, I appreciated his friendship, humor, honesty, integrity and counsel.
I have several memories that will preserve him in my memory. I know he is smiling right now, happier to be with Carlene again. I will surely miss him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sorrowful time. The loss of a father, grandfather and great grandfather is a difficult time and we pray that God helps the family heal with the passage of time.