Aug. 2, 1923-Aug. 15, 2011
Clinton Bennett, 88, of Sweet Home died in Seaside Aug. 15, 2011, with his son and daughter-in-law, Roy and Sheila Bennett, at his side.
He was born Aug. 2, 1923 to Norval and Lucille (Whitworth) Bennett in Mitchell, Neb.
During his early years the family moved to Oregon. He graduated from Sweet Home Union High School in 1941.
After high school, he worked as a heavy equipment operator until entering the military service in 1943.
Clinton served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1943-1946 with Headquarters Company 526th Armored Infantry Battalion as a tank driver.
He received a bronze star for his meritorious achievement during the Battle of the Bulge along with numerous other honors. During his service in Europe he met his sweetheart, Hilda Ditchfield, who worked in the Royal Ordinance Factory in England. They married on Jan. 3, 1949.
After World War II, he owned and operated Bennett & Son Shell Service east of Sweet Home with his father till 1969 when he closed the station to teach automotive classes at Sweet Home High School until his retirement in 1985.
Clinton was an active member of the American Legion, Sweet Home Timber City Post 133 and Foster Scouter’s Club. He attended Sweet Home Evangelical Church and received numerous community service awards including the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service award and Sweet Home High School Teacher of the Year.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, tinkering, gardening, baseball and football and being a community volunteer.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Hilda; his sisters, Susan Williams and Dorothy Nelson; brother, Edward Bennett; and grandson Brian Bennett Jr.
He is survived by his sons, Brian and his wife, Becky, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Roy and his wife, Sheila, of Seaside; brother, Leo and his wife, Barbara, of Sweet Home; three grandsons; and three great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Burial was at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel handled the arrangements.