William "Bill" Bennett

William Lee Bennett, age 80, of Stover, passed away Monday, May 25, 2020, at St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City with his wife and daughter by his side.

He was born August 14, 1939, in St. Joseph, Michigan a son of William and Victoria Connaghn Bennett.

Bill grew up in Michigan and was a graduate of Beaver Island High School.  He moved to Kansas City, where his sister lived and planned on getting a part-time job before returning to Michigan.  His short term stay in Kansas City turned into full time employment at Hallmark and it was there that he spied a young woman and immediately said, “I’m going to marry that girl someday.”  On August 30, 1958, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri, Bill was united in marriage to Jennie L. West, making his statement, a reality.

Bill worked at Hallmark as a computer supervisor, retiring after more than 30 years of employment.

Following his retirement he and Jennie began looking for a place in the country to call home.  They found their dream spot near Stover, where Bill supervised every inch of the building of their log home.

Bill was a member of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Versailles.

He was very creative and could build and fix anything.  He was a gifted craftsman, doing woodworking and building model boats.  He was also a collector of American Indian art.

Bill loved having family and friends at the home place where he could take them for rides around the property in his jeep.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jennie L. Bennett of the home;  two daughters and sons-in-law, Theresa and Pete Lewis of Raymore and Lori and Charles Stilwell of Osceola; five granddaughters, Kendra Marie Lynn Standley and husband Josh, Mindy Danielle Rose, Darcy Nicolle Rose, Mellissa Ann Bayless and husband Adam and Janelle Caprice Parmalee and husband Joseph; eight great grandchildren, Brayden, Zoey, Jett, Jerzey, Lorelei, Timber, Finley and Ellie; along with other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a son, John William Bennett, a brother, Charles Dudley and a sister, Rosalie Harrison.

In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated.  A Memorial Mass will be 12:00 noon Tuesday, June 23 at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Versailles. Inurnment will be 11:00 am Friday, June 26 in the Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Kansas City.