W. H. Race Bennett

Race Bennett, 89, a resident of Emporia and formerly of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, died Sunday, Jun 10, 2007, at Newman Regional Health in Emporia. Services will be held Friday, June 15, 2007, at 1:00 P.M., at the First Presbyterian Church in Cottonwood Falls, KS. with the Rev. Pat Ireland officiating. Interment will follow at Prairie Grove Cemetery in rural Cottonwood Falls, KS. Willis Hay Bennett was born December 16, 1917 in Eskridge, Kansas. he was the son of Dr. J.C. and Florence Hay Bennett. He attended Eskridge schools, the College of Emporia, and Kansas State Teachers College. He graduated from Williams Institute of Mortuary Science in Kansas City, Kansas. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Medic from 1941 until 1945, and was stationed much of that time in Brazil. He and Marilyn Oliver were married October 26, 1945, in Seattle, Washington. She preceded him in death March 1, 1987. He was associated with Stine-McClure Funeral Home of Kansas City, MO. in 1941, the Freeman Mortuary of Kansas City, MO. from 1945 until 1952, and Roberts Blue Barnett of Emporia from 1952 until 1957.He and Marilyn purchased the Brown Funeral Home in Cottonwood Falls in 1957 and retired in 1982. For many years, the funeral home provided an ambulance service. When Kansas became one of the first states to require training in Emergency Services, he was one of the first certified Emergency Medical Technicians. He served as President of Chamber of Commerce, Twin Cities Lions Club, both of Cottonwood Falls. He was a Trustee and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, a member of Zeredatha Masonic Lodge #80, A.M. & F.M., and the American Legion, all of Cottonwood Falls. While in Emporia he served as President of the Kiwanis Club and is currently a member of Ball-McColm Post #5 of the American Legion. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cottonwood Falls until hemoved to Emporia and he became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Emporia. He is survived by three daughters: Bev Scott of Emporia, Nancy Nurnberg of Port Byron, IL, and Terri Clendenen of Wichita, KS., seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Eldon L. Bennett and Dr. J. Dale Bennett. The family will greet friends Thursday from 6:30 until 8:30 P.M., at the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home. Friends may call Wednesday from noon until 8:00 P.M. and Thursday from 9:00 A.M. until 8:30 P.M. at the funeral home and Friday, 9:00 A.M. util service time at the First Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions to the Emporia Friends of the Zoo or Chase County Emergency Medical Service may be sent in care of the funeral home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas 66845.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of W. H. Race Bennett, please visit our floral store.