William Bennett Jr., 78

William Bennett Jr., 78, passed away peacefully at his home near Moyie Springs, Idaho, on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014.

A graveside ceremony was held on Wednesday, Aug, 27 at 11 a.m., and was open to all who knew and loved him.

William Bennett, known as Bill, was born Dec. 16, 1935, in Wascott, Wis, to parents William and Leona Bennett. His love of the outdoors and hunting, along with a simple life of working hard and caring for family, brought him to Bonners Ferry along with other family members for a life of logging, engineering, and law enforcement.

As a young man he proudly served in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War. He joined and served alongside his friend and future brother- in-law, Chuck Lockman, and the two remained both friends and family.

After his time in the military, he married Susan “Susie” Kovar of Troy, Mont., and they had a daughter, Robin Marie, both of whom sadly preceded him in death.

He remarried in 1967 to Cheryl Ann Lockman (now Myers) of Bonners Ferry. After earning a degree in engineering, Bill turned away from an opportunity to work at Cape Canaveral in order to stay near to extended family and the wilderness life he loved.

Bill worked for a time with local law enforcement and ran for sheriff while raising three young children — Robin Ann, Travis William, and Charles (Chuck) William.

His love of the outdoors and determination to better provide for his family, with the addition of his youngest daughter, Summer Joy, drew him back to a logging career.

Bill and Cheryl divorced and shared in a very loving, united upbringing of their four children together. In spite of military and logging injuries, Bill not only continued working in logging, carpentry, and auto repair, but also was able to enjoy more time hunting, traveling, and building his own home near Moyie Springs, Idaho, as his children grew.

As a stubborn and loyal Irish outdoorsman, Bill remained single and happy to focus the remainder of his life on his two great loves; hunting and providing for his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Susie and the couple’s only child, Robin Marie in 1966; and by Travis William Bennett, his oldest son with second wife Cheryl, in 2010. Of his nine siblings, he experienced the passing of his brothers Irvin, Harold and Marvin “Muggs” Bennett and sisters LaVerle Mullin, Geraldine “Gerry” Bennett, Verona “Sis” Brittin, and Beverly (Betty) Horn.

He is survived by brothers Ronald “Ronnie” Bennett of Indiana and Vern Bennett of California, along with many grandchildren and extended family.

His surviving children Robin Ann Bennett, 45, of Deer Park, Wash., Charles “Chuck” William Bennett, 43, of Moyie Springs, Idaho, and Summer Joy Bennett, 36, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, remember their loving father as very strong, honest, hard-working and dedicated, and will sorely miss their dad’s example of how to be a dedicated, committed parent, reliable friend, and charming, trustworthy neighbor to all.

He not only expressed but showed his love in all he did and wished for them, and all the lives he has touched are better for having known him, and bereaved in letting him go.

Family and friends are invited to sign Bill’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.