William Clinton Bennett

William Clinton "Bill" Bennett, 80, of Abilene, passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Funeral services will be held at the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street, on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories. A visitation with the family will be on Friday, March 18, 2016, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors.

Bill was born on January 12, 1936 in Abilene, Texas to Neil and Lodema Bennett. Bill served in the Naval Reserve during the Korean War and developed a love for military aircraft and World War II history. He was a licensed pilot and a member of the Big Country Squadron of the CAF and had a lifelong passion for vintage airplanes. Bill was an avid fisherman and loved spending time out on the water. He also had a love for birds and kept the neighborhood birds well fed. Bill worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor for many years and helped hundreds of people. He was a grateful member of AA, where he found God, for more than 36 years. He was loved by many people for his humble and generous spirit. He spent 7 years as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Elm Valley Community Church for almost 30 years. Recently, Bill and his wife Lynn became members of the Highland Church of Christ. Bill was also a proud graduate and devoted fan of Texas Tech University.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Lodema Bennett and by a grandson, Jay Bellar. Bill is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lynn Bennett, and his first wife and the mother of his children, Julie Rabik of Houston, son William Clinton Bennett, Jr. and wife Brenda of Houston; daughters Jennifer Anderson and husband Don of Austin and Shari Provenzano and husband Mark of Houston; step-children Carola Martin and husband Larry of Sweetwater and John Chastain and wife Carol of Abilene; brother Robert Neil Bennett of Abilene and sister Betty Specht of Houston; grandchildren Chris Anderson, Nick Anderson, Rico Valencia, Lexi Dunson, Emily Bennett, Allison Bellar, Aaron Chastain, Jenifer Bellar, Jaron Bellar, Corynn Martin, Abigail Chastain and Christa Martin; great-granddaughter Katherine Dunson; and many nieces and nephews and his beloved cat, Sunshine.

Memorial donations can be made in Bill's name to Love & Care Ministries, 233 Fannin St., Abilene, TX 79603, or to Meals on Wheels, 717 N 10th St, Abilene, TX 79601.

Condolences can be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.