Walter Stephen Bennett

Born December 2, 1930 in Pekin to Clyde and Marian (Ozella) Bennett, he married Wanda Lee Jent on February 15, 1958 in Pekin. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before her passing on October 26, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Betty (Bennett) O’Connell; one brother and sister in law, Ray and Betty Bennett and their faithful four legged “buddy’, Holly, their miniature Schnauzer.

Surviving are two daughters, Gail (David) Taylor and Elizabeth “Beth” Bennett, both of Pekin; two grandsons, Bennett Taylor of Pekin and Derek Reinmann of Eureka; his brother in law, Jack O’Connell of Eureka and several nieces and nephews.

Wally was a veteran of the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Lake Champlain during the Korean War and was a member of the of U.S.S Lake Champlain Association.

He was a 1949 graduate of Pekin Community High School, where they were known as “The Forty Niners.” Wally was a lifetime member of both the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a former member of Pekin Moose Family Center #916 and Pekin Elks Lodge #1271.

Wally worked with his father as a plasterer before starting a 31-year career at Keystone Wire & Steel Co. in Bartonville, retiring in 1992.

He was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. His son in law, David Taylor will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Guidelines regarding social distancing will be followed. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin, where military rites will be provided by the United States Navy and Tazewell Military Rites Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, Illinois 61554, where Wally volunteered for many years.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com