William "Bill" Bennett
February 5, 1932 — July 12, 2016
Francis William “Bill” Bennett passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, in the comfort of his home with his loving wife, Joyce. Funeral Services: Saturday, July 16, at 3:00 p.m. at the Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Burial: Sunday, July 17th at 10:00 a.m. at the West Branch Cemetery, West Branch.
He was born and raised in Blair, Nebraska, the son of Chester and Grace (Sully) Bennett. During his time at Dana College, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Korea. Bill was wounded during the “Battle for the Punchbowl” and spent 9 months recovering at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. Three years after returning to Dana he was accepted into the University of Iowa College of Medicine, graduating in 1960. Following an internship at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Bill established a private family practice in Marion, Iowa. For over 15 years he provided health care for a community, delivered children and made house calls. He then became Associate Director and preceptor at the Family Practice Residency Program at Mercy Hospital. Interest in addiction medicine led him to a position as the Medical Director at the Sedlacek Chemical Dependency Treatment Center. He served on the Iowa governor’s board for chemical dependency treatment, helping to establish centers throughout many parts of the state and was recognized for his work in substance abuse in the medical community. Bill retired in 1992.
Over the years, Bill contributed to the community in many ways. He served as a team physician for the Marion High School Football team for over 25 years, volunteered at the Toddville Clinic, was active in the Sertoma service club, serving as president. He lectured at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Bill will be remembered for his wry sense of humor, intellectual curiosity, commitment to the Marine Corps, and love of reading and fishing. He was an amazing father, husband and community member.
Bill is survived by his wife, Joyce Bennett (Petersen); sons Brian Bennett and wife Lisa (Henriques), Bruce Bennett and wife Pamela (Cole), daughter Denise Ward and husband Jon; grandchildren, Caitlin Ward, Charles Ward, Christopher Bennett, David Bennett, Benjamin Bennett, Olivia Bennett and Robert Cole and Wife Euliza; great-grandchildren, Robert, Xavier, Taylor Marie, Brittni, and Maya; sister, Ann Bennett; brother, John (Jack) Bennett and his wife, Pat; and many much loved nieces and nephews, cousins, and in-laws. Bill was preceded in death by daughter, Sheila, and brother, Robert.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (semperfifund.org), USO (uso.org) or to the donor’s choice are preferred in memory of Bill.
He was born and raised in Blair, Nebraska, the son of Chester and Grace (Sully) Bennett. During his time at Dana College, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Korea. Bill was wounded during the “Battle for the Punchbowl” and spent 9 months recovering at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. Three years after returning to Dana he was accepted into the University of Iowa College of Medicine, graduating in 1960. Following an internship at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Bill established a private family practice in Marion, Iowa. For over 15 years he provided health care for a community, delivered children and made house calls. He then became Associate Director and preceptor at the Family Practice Residency Program at Mercy Hospital. Interest in addiction medicine led him to a position as the Medical Director at the Sedlacek Chemical Dependency Treatment Center. He served on the Iowa governor’s board for chemical dependency treatment, helping to establish centers throughout many parts of the state and was recognized for his work in substance abuse in the medical community. Bill retired in 1992.
Over the years, Bill contributed to the community in many ways. He served as a team physician for the Marion High School Football team for over 25 years, volunteered at the Toddville Clinic, was active in the Sertoma service club, serving as president. He lectured at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Bill will be remembered for his wry sense of humor, intellectual curiosity, commitment to the Marine Corps, and love of reading and fishing. He was an amazing father, husband and community member.
Bill is survived by his wife, Joyce Bennett (Petersen); sons Brian Bennett and wife Lisa (Henriques), Bruce Bennett and wife Pamela (Cole), daughter Denise Ward and husband Jon; grandchildren, Caitlin Ward, Charles Ward, Christopher Bennett, David Bennett, Benjamin Bennett, Olivia Bennett and Robert Cole and Wife Euliza; great-grandchildren, Robert, Xavier, Taylor Marie, Brittni, and Maya; sister, Ann Bennett; brother, John (Jack) Bennett and his wife, Pat; and many much loved nieces and nephews, cousins, and in-laws. Bill was preceded in death by daughter, Sheila, and brother, Robert.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (semperfifund.org), USO (uso.org) or to the donor’s choice are preferred in memory of Bill.
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