Morris J. Bennett born Dec. 9, 1922 in Armona, Ca. to John Bennett and Geraldine (McClurg) Bennett died June 7, 2021 in Visalia, Ca. He attended grammar school in Elderwood, Ca. and graduated from Woodlake High School in 1940. He met and married Ruth (McPhail) in 1941. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ruth in 2002. He is survived by his brother Harold Basey of Groveland, Ca., three children, Gary Bennett wife Laurie, Virginia Bennett Tyler husband Lee, and Leroy Bennett wife Irene, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Morris joined the Woodlake Hardware workforce in 1940 as an appliance repairman and became manager and eventually owner until his retirement in 2015 at the age of 93. He was a flight officer during World War ll as a glider pilot. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, the battles in Holland and the breakthrough across the Rhine. He was awarded the Bronze Star in the liberation of Holland and besides the Bronze Star he also has three Air Medals, the Presidential Citation and the Group Citation of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Morris was a very active member of Woodlake serving as a Life member of Woodlake Rotary, past president of Woodlake Chamber of Commerce, Fire Chief of the Woodlake Volunteer Firemen, Scout Master, Baseball coach and Charter member of the VFW. He was named Man of the Year in 1970. He was also an avid sportsman enjoying hunting and fishing throughout his life. His greatest love was the Woodlake Hardware where he worked for over 70 years. He will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Morris' name.
Memorial graveside services are being held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Woodlake Public Cemetery, 165 Cypress in Woodlake, CA.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Bennett family.
