William Bennett

William Bennett, 81, of Chillicothe, passed from this life on Friday, April 24, 2026, following a brief illness.

He was born November 7, 1944 in Chillicothe, Ohio, son of Mary Evelyn (Martin) Short and Osborn Bennett.

Surviving is his daughter, Tammera Louise Bennett Laughlin, her husband Patrick, and his son, Matthew E. Bennett; grandchildren, Paige Danner, Haley Laughlin, and Mark Laughlin; great-grandchildren, Mason Wise and Margot Wise; his sister, Donna Kay Short DePinta, and her husband Roger; and his closest aunt and friend, Ruth Ann Forbush Harper. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Mary Josephine Laughlin, his grandmother, Ada Mae Martin Forbush, her husband Thomas, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

William was an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving his country for many years. He went on to work at Mead Paper Company, retiring in 2002. He enjoyed many memberships, including the Scioto Lodge #6 F. & A.M., where he was Past Master in 1987, and served as secretary from 1989-2021. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies, Chillicothe Chapter #4 R.A.M., Chillicothe Council #4, R. & S. Masons, Chillicothe Commandery #8 K.T., serving each of them as recorder and secretary. He was also a member of P.A.C.E. Local 5-0988 where he served as secretary from 1974-2005. In his free time, he enjoyed reading, cycling, dining with his children, and serving his beloved Masonic Lodge.

Scioto Lodge #6 will perform a Masonic Funeral Service on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Haller Funeral Home, with a brief Memorial Service to follow. Military honors conducted by the Ross County Veterans Honor Guard will immediately follow in Green Summit Cemetery. Friends may join the family for visitation from 1:00pm until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in William’s honor to the Scioto Lodge #6 Scholarship Fund, 57 East Main Street, Chillicothe; or to the Adena Hospice Group.