Celebrating the life of
William Vail Bennett
April 25, 1921 - June 20, 2013
William Vail Bennett
SAVANNAH – William Vail Bennett, 92, died Thursday, June 20, 2013, at his home.
Mr. Bennett was born April 25, 1921 in Newark, NJ to William Edward and Josephine Vail Bennett and at an early age moved to Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY where he graduated from Southside High School in 1939.
During World War II he was in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, where he served on troop ships in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific for over three years.
He graduated from Georgia Tech as an Industrial Engineer in 1949 and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
In 1950 he moved to Savannah to work at the Sugar Refinery Savannah Foods where he remained until his retirement in 1987. At the refinery he assisted large industrial customers with installing liquid and bulk sugar handling systems. He was a member of the Sugar Industry Technologists and was a proud member of the Over The Hill Sugar Gang.
Since his retirement, he worked as a tour guide for Grayline, Old Savannah Tours, BJ Tour and was a volunteer at Inner City Night Shelter, Emmaus House, the Radio Reader Program, and Bonaventure Cemetery. He was a member of the Jaycees, Hibernian Society, Georgia Historical Society, Telfair Museum, English Speaking Union, and the Coastal Heritage Society.
He was a devoted member of Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church where he was a lector for over 30 years and an active member of the St. Vincent De Paul Society since 1976. In 2007 he was the recipient of the Bishop Gartland award for service to the church.
He is survived by his loving son and daughter-in-law, William L. and Patrizia P. Bennett. His beautiful, loving wife of almost 49 years, Louise H. Bennett, predeceased him in 2000. He was also predeceased by a brother, Gerald A. Bennett, and a sister, Barbara G. Bennett.
A Vigil Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 24, 2013, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Interment will be on Wednesday at Arlington Memorial Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
My deepest condolences to the SBennett family. May you find comfort in knowing that our Creator promises to be near those that are broken at heart. Ps. 34:17-18.
- TC, , GA
A true gentlemen. I got to know Bill through ESU and he always had a smile on his face and welcomed you as a dear friend. He was one in a million!
- alice deinard, savannah, GA
Bill, I knew your parents for many years,both from church and neighbors for a brief spell.They were super,genuine people who were respected by many for the way they carried out their daily activities.You have my deepest sympathy on your loss.
- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, GA
Bill and Patrizia: Sorry to hear about your loss. If there is anything I can do, let me know.
- Charlie Strickland, Savannah, GA
I was privileged to both work with Bill and have him work for me. One of the nicest things about him was that his love of life and of Savannah was apparent to all. With his many activities we always tried to make sure he was available to work well ahead of time and his invariable response was always, 'If I'm still here, I'll be there'. He reminded me very much of my father in his respect for other people and dedication to helping make this a better world. He is going to be missed not only by his immediate family and his extended family but also by those who will not have to opportunity to know this wonderful man. Through an accident of birth he grew up in the North but he was one of the grandest Southern Gentlemen I've known. Farewell my friend. Bob
- Bob Bryson, Savannah, GA
Although I only knew Bill for a few short years, I appreciated his quiet dignity and gracious demeanor. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.
- Carol Taylor, Savannah, GA
Mr. Bennett was truly a gentleman in every sense of the word. Betty and I enjoyed his always pleasant greetings at Mass. His face will be missed at Blessed Sacrament Church.
- Billy S. Wilson, Jr., Savannah, GA
We were very fortunate to be next door neighbors to Bill and Louise and shared many evenings and dinners together. The two of them completed each other beautifully. Bill suffered dearly at his life's partner passing as we all did. Louise was a part of all of our hearts. Bill continued on with his work to help others and to continue to be an important part of teaching what Savannah really is to tourists as well as locals who were interested. He was always searching for unusual tidbits of history and fact about something in our historic city. In his last years, he spent considerable time with his beloved son and daughter in law who both catered to the needs Bill would allow. Bill and Louise were certainly one of the most memorable and enjoyable couples and individuals we have ever had the pleasure to know, to love and to spend time together. We shall cherish the memories after mourning the loss. Both of them will be bound up into the hands of the Lord.
- Ken & Barbara Rubin, Charleston, WV
We were fortunate to have Bill known as our neighbor. His stories of our beautiful neighborhood and Savannah were enjoyed by many. He was a wonderful story teller and loved life. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
- Cornelia and Celestino, Savannah, GA
Bill blessed my life with his friendship. He was a true gentleman in a time when that has become altogether rare. The world is the poorer for his loss. I send my deepest sympathies to his son and daughter-in-law.
- Lara Ramaswamy, , GA
Bill and Louise were great friends of my parents, the late Joan and Ben Jones. Bill worked alongside my father, who was a chemical and packaging engineer at the sugar refinery. They were two brilliant men who loved their work and held each other in great esteem. Bill was a gentleman of that greatest generation which is all but gone today, and he will be missed but never forgotten. It would become my honor to know Bill as a fellow tour guide where we would literally cross paths in the Historic District. He loved showing Savannah to tourists. He and Louise were quite fond of my mother, always asking about her after my father passed away, bidding me to give her their love. Heaven has another bright star, Bill.
- Julia Jones Williams, Savannah, GA
A tearful farewell to one of the finest fellows we have ever had the privilege of knowing. We will miss your wonderful presence everyday but will keep your spirit with us forever.
- nata & Rob Bayless, savannah, GA
Bill was a neighbor and a friend. He was a fun companion to go to dinners with. He was a man among men who never had anything but good things to say about anyone. He gave of himself for the betterment of many. He shared his pleasant person and smile with those who needed an uplift. He did much for those who had little and he truly practiced his Faith and was an example for others to emulate. I and Mary Jane will miss his wonderful personality. He was a true Gentleman and cared about everyone. He was loved by all whom he met. God will bless him plentifully and he will never be forgotten.
- Bill & MJ Mataxas, Savannah, GA
A great friend and and wonderful treasurer of the Savannah Branch of the English Speaking Union. May his soul rest in peace.
- Robert Vinyard, Savannah, GA
My deepest condolences to the SBennett family. May you find comfort in knowing that our Creator promises to be near those that are broken at heart. Ps. 34:17-18.
- TC, , GA
A true gentlemen. I got to know Bill through ESU and he always had a smile on his face and welcomed you as a dear friend. He was one in a million!
- alice deinard, savannah, GA
Bill, I knew your parents for many years,both from church and neighbors for a brief spell.They were super,genuine people who were respected by many for the way they carried out their daily activities.You have my deepest sympathy on your loss.
- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, GA
Bill and Patrizia: Sorry to hear about your loss. If there is anything I can do, let me know.
- Charlie Strickland, Savannah, GA
I was privileged to both work with Bill and have him work for me. One of the nicest things about him was that his love of life and of Savannah was apparent to all. With his many activities we always tried to make sure he was available to work well ahead of time and his invariable response was always, 'If I'm still here, I'll be there'. He reminded me very much of my father in his respect for other people and dedication to helping make this a better world. He is going to be missed not only by his immediate family and his extended family but also by those who will not have to opportunity to know this wonderful man. Through an accident of birth he grew up in the North but he was one of the grandest Southern Gentlemen I've known. Farewell my friend. Bob
- Bob Bryson, Savannah, GA
Although I only knew Bill for a few short years, I appreciated his quiet dignity and gracious demeanor. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.
- Carol Taylor, Savannah, GA
Mr. Bennett was truly a gentleman in every sense of the word. Betty and I enjoyed his always pleasant greetings at Mass. His face will be missed at Blessed Sacrament Church.
- Billy S. Wilson, Jr., Savannah, GA
We were very fortunate to be next door neighbors to Bill and Louise and shared many evenings and dinners together. The two of them completed each other beautifully. Bill suffered dearly at his life's partner passing as we all did. Louise was a part of all of our hearts. Bill continued on with his work to help others and to continue to be an important part of teaching what Savannah really is to tourists as well as locals who were interested. He was always searching for unusual tidbits of history and fact about something in our historic city. In his last years, he spent considerable time with his beloved son and daughter in law who both catered to the needs Bill would allow. Bill and Louise were certainly one of the most memorable and enjoyable couples and individuals we have ever had the pleasure to know, to love and to spend time together. We shall cherish the memories after mourning the loss. Both of them will be bound up into the hands of the Lord.
- Ken & Barbara Rubin, Charleston, WV
We were fortunate to have Bill known as our neighbor. His stories of our beautiful neighborhood and Savannah were enjoyed by many. He was a wonderful story teller and loved life. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
- Cornelia and Celestino, Savannah, GA
Bill blessed my life with his friendship. He was a true gentleman in a time when that has become altogether rare. The world is the poorer for his loss. I send my deepest sympathies to his son and daughter-in-law.
- Lara Ramaswamy, , GA
Bill and Louise were great friends of my parents, the late Joan and Ben Jones. Bill worked alongside my father, who was a chemical and packaging engineer at the sugar refinery. They were two brilliant men who loved their work and held each other in great esteem. Bill was a gentleman of that greatest generation which is all but gone today, and he will be missed but never forgotten. It would become my honor to know Bill as a fellow tour guide where we would literally cross paths in the Historic District. He loved showing Savannah to tourists. He and Louise were quite fond of my mother, always asking about her after my father passed away, bidding me to give her their love. Heaven has another bright star, Bill.
- Julia Jones Williams, Savannah, GA
A tearful farewell to one of the finest fellows we have ever had the privilege of knowing. We will miss your wonderful presence everyday but will keep your spirit with us forever.
- nata & Rob Bayless, savannah, GA
Bill was a neighbor and a friend. He was a fun companion to go to dinners with. He was a man among men who never had anything but good things to say about anyone. He gave of himself for the betterment of many. He shared his pleasant person and smile with those who needed an uplift. He did much for those who had little and he truly practiced his Faith and was an example for others to emulate. I and Mary Jane will miss his wonderful personality. He was a true Gentleman and cared about everyone. He was loved by all whom he met. God will bless him plentifully and he will never be forgotten.
- Bill & MJ Mataxas, Savannah, GA
A great friend and and wonderful treasurer of the Savannah Branch of the English Speaking Union. May his soul rest in peace.
- Robert Vinyard, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
