Willie Sonny Bennett's Obituary
illie Francis “Sonny” Bennett, son of Willie Columbus and Ora L. Williams Bennett, was born January 14, 1933, near Competition, Missouri. He departed this life and went to join his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of seventy-five years, and twenty-one days. On May 5, 1954, he was united in marriage to Ethel Lucinda Willhite, and to this union one daughter and three sons were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Billy Lorain Bennett; a brother, Burl Bennett; and two sisters, Golda Bennett and Jean Wise. Willie is survived by his loving wife of fifty-three years, Ethel, of the home; a daughter, Joy Francis, and her husband, Jim, of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, Allen Bennett, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Mike Bennett, and his wife, Kim, of Falcon, Missouri; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five sisters, Bessie Tinsley, of Council, Idaho, Norma Willhite, of Hartville, Missouri, Barbara Kelly, and Bonnie Wininger, both of Weiser, Idaho, and Cathy Pinkert, of Springfield, Missouri; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many, many friends. He was born and raised in the Competition, Missouri community. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army from March 11, 1953, until March 10, 1955. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Willie and Ethel made their home in the Lebanon area and lovingly raised their family. Sonny made his profession of faith in Christ early in his life and served his Lord as a pastor and minister for forty-five years. Throughout that time he pastored many churches in Laclede County including, Coon Creek, Lone Star, Cedar Ridge, Porter Chapel, and Conway Freewill Baptist Church. He currently was serving as associate pastor at Family of Faith Church. Throughout the years, he had touched countless numbers of lives and won many souls to the Lord. He also had worked in bridge and road construction and as a pre-arrangement funeral counselor for many years. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, coon hunting, riding motorcycles, and traveling. His family was very dear to him and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Willie was a loving family man, a devoted and concerned pastor, a caring neighbor, and good friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the wonderful memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2008, in the Family of Faith Church, near Competition, Missouri. Burial will be in the New Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to the Steeple Fund, at the Family of Faith Church, may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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