William "Bill" Charles Bennett

A funeral service for William will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church Colorado Springs, 219 E Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. A reception will follow.

Bill Bennett passed away unexpectedly on May 29, 2005 while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In a recent journal entry, Bill wrote longingly of the time when he would “run into the arms of Jesus.” His family takes comfort in the joy he is experiencing.

Born on August 8,1945, in Southern California to William and Maxine Bennett, Bill’s life was filled with adventure and entrepreneurship from his early years. His son, Eric and daughter, Wendy, grew up hearing Bill remember those years with fondness. His entrepreneurial spirit was evidenced at the young age of eight when he took on a paper route and, by the age of 12, was managing his own team of delivery boys. Already a CEO!

Bill later served with the Air Force in Vietnam, was schooled and then worked as an auto mechanic, and was trained again and sold Monroe calculators. He worked in sales and marketing for two companies, Colgate Palmolive and ITT. He then started his own very successful advertising and marketing agency, William Bennett Associates, which he later sold to pursue even more adventures. During this time, he and Beth met through their mutual involvement with First Presbyterian Church. Marrying in 1995, Bill became Dad to Beth’s three children, Sunita, Dan and Peter.

The work adventures continued. Why not create a new magazine? Springstyle Magazine highlighted life in Colorado Springs and the surrounding Pikes Peak area. Then, why not get a license and become a real estate agent? And, why not take a few years and use his communications and marketing skills to benefit the ministry Greater Europe Mission? And, why not become a truck driver? This meant, of course, starting his own trucking business. Bill crisscrossed the country countless times finding and creating his own adventures along the way.

Retirement simply meant embarking on another adventure, one that was perhaps the most meaningful of all. He and Beth moved to Albania to support a pastor he had known for many years. It wasn’t long before they founded Hands of Providence International, a ministry devoted to bringing opportunity, humanitarian aid, and the love of God to their hometown of Libonik and to more than 90 surrounding villages in southern Albania. They returned home to the US in 2024.

Bill is survived by his sister Marianne; his children Eric (Samantha) and Wendy (Paul), from his first marriage to Lynne; and by his wife Beth and Sunita (Marc) and Peter (Megan). He was also a proud and playful grandfather and great-grandfather to Sierra, Gabby, Will, Terry, Julie, Natalie, Mateo, and Rey.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Kristine and Jennifer, and his son Dan.

In recent years, when friends asked how he was doing, Bill’s frequent response was, “Livin’ the dream.” That has never been more true than it is now. He is home.

Bill’s son-in-law, Marc Steele, honored his wishes for a simple burial by handcrafting his casket. He will be laid to rest in a small country cemetery in Victor, Colorado with a grand view of the mountains he loved.

To honor Bill’s legacy and passion for ministry, donations may be made to Hands of Providence International founded by Bill and Beth.

https://www.handsofprovidenceinternational.org/giving