Wilbur I. Bennett

Wilbur I. Bennett Wilbur I. Bennett, Jr. died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008. A memorial service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Pinewood Memorial Park. Mr. Bennett, a native of Beaufort County, grew up in Farmville, moved to Beaufort County as a teenager, and was a graduate of Washington High School. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge from the service, he attended East Carolina University and received his BA Degree in education. For a number of years he lived in Charlotte and worked in finance. He returned to East Carolina University where he received his Master's Degree in Physical Geography while teaching evening classes. He taught for nineteen years in the Pitt County Schools. Mr. Bennett attended Covenant United Methodist Church, served on the Greenville Recreation and Parks committee, and was a longtime member of the ECU Pirates Club and Alumni Association. He was a sports enthusiast, avid supporter of ECU athletics and traveled hundreds of miles to watch his grandsons play various sports. Mr. Bennett visualized a bike park for Greenville and was instrumental in this project becoming a reality. His membership with the "Blvd. Bagel Morning Crew" started his morning with a smile as they shared stories and traded opinions on sports and local events. Mr. Bennett touched hundreds of lives during his middle school teaching career. Former students often shared with him the positive impact he had on them and for many how he helped turn their lives around. He had the gift of helping students believe in themselves. He was a kind, gentle man with an unforgettable sense of humor and was loved by everyone who had the privilege to know him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur I. and Hyacinth W. Bennett; a sister, Clara Bennett; a brother, James I. Bennett; and an aunt, Virginia Lawson. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Jane Kanoy Bennett; sons, Wilbur Irving Bennett III, of Raleigh and John McCluer Bennett and wife, Karen, of Denver, N.C.; step-daughters, Lynn L. Hodges and husband, Kim, and Lisa L. Woodard and husband, Jerry; step-sons, Britt Laughinghouse and wife, Paige, and Chip Laughinghouse, all of Greenville; grandchildren, Abby and Austin Bennett, of Denver, N.C.; step-grandchildren, Kelly Hodges and wife, Leigh Ann, Kevin Hodges, all of Wilmington, Scott Hodges, and Britton Laughinghouse, both of Greenville; brother, Thomas A. Bennett and wife, Carolyn, of Naples, Fla. and Greenville; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special kitty, Calie The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Lee and staff at Physicians East for the medical care as well as love and compassion throughout his illness and also the staff at Health Steps for all their encouragement and motivation. Thanks also to his caregivers, Betty Brown and Lillie Wood who will be remembered for their compassion and love shared with Wilbur. They will always be a part of our extended family. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home. Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution is asked to consider Greenville Recreation and Park Extreme Park, PO Box 7207, Greenville NC 27835, American Cancer Society, Raleigh Office, 8300 Health Park, Suite 10, Raleigh, NC 27615, or to the ECU Educational Foundation, 304 Ward Sports Medicine Bldg., Greenville NC 27858. Condolences www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com