William Ralph Bennett was born on November 25, 1933 in Bakersfield, CA to Guy and Ruth Bennett. he went to be with his Savior on September 19, 2023 in Ponca City, OK.

Bill was a lifelong educator, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, and mentor children of all ages. He was married to Ruth McMahon on September 24, 1954 and they raised two daughters, Patti Orcutt of Crescent, OK, and Jodi Rogers of Ponca City. He was grandfather to Chantel Gurley of Ponca City and Kira Orcutt of Crescent. he has six great-grandchildren, Eowen Orcutt and Kyleigh, Ariadne, Ember, Kellan and Fionn Gurley.

Bill was a graduate of Pasadena Nazarene College (now Point Loma) and Texas Tech University. he taught in Texas public schools for 36 years and was education director for Pioneer Memorial Museum for another ten. He was also a lifelong member of the Church of the Nazarene due to growing up next door and being loved and cared for by its members. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and his wife Ruth. A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene, 1715 E Prospect Ave. in Ponca City on Monday, September 25, at 2 pm.

Paid Obituary