Billy Bennett

On Wednesday morning, August 28,2024, at 12:30 am Billy Bennett went to live with his Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven after battling a long illness.

Billy was the son of William C. Bennett, Sr. and Louise (Skippy) Ridings Bennett of Union, SC (both deceased).  He is survived by his wife Carol Rivers Bennett of Charleston, SC, his son William (Zach) Zachary Bennett, and Zach's wife Jaclyn Meyer Bennett of Charleston, SC, Billy's sister Patricia Bennett Vanderford and her husband Mike Vanderford of Piedmont, SC, and Billy's brother Jim Bennett and his wife Annette Bennett of Edgemoor, SC.  He will be sorely missed by his four grandchildren, Everly Bennett, Rivers Bennett, Everett Bennett, and Nella Bennett, who knew him as Pop Pop Bibby.  Children always gravitated towards Billy's magnetism and fun spirit, especially his eighteen nieces and nephews, and twenty one great-nieces and nephews, who called him "Uncle Billy the greatest tree farmer in all the land," and "Uncle Billy the greatest firefighter in all the land," and who considered him a wonderful hero, tree farm buddy, and close friend.

Billy was recently retired from the US Forest Service.  A Forestry graduate from Haywood Tech, Billy served as a forester for the majority of his life, most recently as a West Yellowstone Smokejumper for nearly twenty years before becoming the tanker base manager at the same base for his last years in West Yellowstone, Montana.  Billy, also a South Carolina State Constable, spent the five months of his off season with his wife in Union, SC tending his Christmas tree farm, managing timber stands as a consultant, providing support to the local drug task force, and spreading his love throughout the Union community.  He seemed to be always laughing, even during the saddest times, bringing a special light to all of those who had the pleasure of being in his company.  We will all cherish the time that we have spent with him, and he will always be remembered in the most special places of our hearts.

Billy's family will be celebrating his memory on Tuesday, September 3rd with a visitation at Holcombe Funeral Home in Union, SC from 5 pm to 7 pm.  The family will be holding a service at Holcombe Funeral Home on Wednesday, the 4th, at 12 noon, followed by a brief graveside farewell at Union Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, First Baptist Church of Union, and the National Smokejumper Association.