Marvin "Billy" Bennett, Jr. (Buffalo)'s Obituary
Marvin William “Bill” Bennett, Jr., age 56, a Welding Professor at Ozarks Technical Community College and life-long resident of Dallas County, Missouri, went to be with his Savior Jesus Christ at 5:39 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on August 23, 1964, in Mesa, Arizona, to Marvin William Bennett, Sr. and Bonnie Louise (Wilson) Bennett. He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin W. Bennett, Sr.; his paternal grandparents Claude and Lorraine (Poling) Bennett, Mesa, Arizona; and his maternal Grandparents Harry Clifford “Pete” and Grace Evelyn (Whitney) Wilson, Elkland.
Bill was married to his High School Sweetheart, Glenda Colleen Sweaney, on November 17, 1984, and together they welcomed two sons, Lynn and Wayne Bennett, who were the joy of their lives.
Bill, or Billy, as everyone knew him, was a loving and devoted Husband, Father, Pee-Paw, Son, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle, and Friend to everyone who knew him. Bill loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and never missed an opportunity to share his testimony no matter where he was. Bill was a gifted and talented Welder, Welding Inspector, and Welding Professor, and enjoyed sharing his gifts with his students at OTC in Springfield and Waynesville. Bill was an avid Fly Fisherman and loved spending time with family and friends at Bennett Spring State Park, where he always looked forward to catching the next lunker. His love of hunting, camping, kayaking, and the great outdoors in general, took him and members of his family from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the many rivers, streams, and fishing holes in and around Missouri, to the trails of Oklahoma, where he and his horse Woody rode the Custer’s Trail.
Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at a young age and was baptized and became a member of Mt. Pleasant Southern Baptist Church. He always enjoyed the many church activities at Mt. Pleasant, including Royal Ambassadors (RA’s), Vacation Bible School, and many trips to Summer Camp at Bennett Spring, which all played an important role in his life. Bill rededicated his life to the Lord in February 2021 and served as a witness for Jesus until the Lord called him home. During his battle with sarcoma, Bill coined the phrase, “Either way I win,” knowing whether the Lord healed him while on this earth or by taking him to Heaven, his battle was won.
Bill is survived by his wife Glenda Bennett, of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lynn and Kelsey Bennett, Fair Grove; and Wayne and Jordan Bennett, Buffalo; his mother, Bonnie Bennett of Buffalo; his sister and brother-in-law Sandra and Richard Waters of Elkland; his seven grandchildren, Isaiah Bennett, Charlie Bennett, Karter Bennett, Lela Bennett, Linley Bennett, Lane Bennett, and Taylin Bennett; his three nephews Curt Waters, Jake Waters, and Gary Waters, and many other relatives, colleagues, students, neighbors, and friends who will all miss him so very much.
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