Willard M. Bennett, 78, born Jan. 17, 1939, passed away peacefully on May 23 at St. Andrews Gregory Wing in Boothbay.
Will was the second child born to Fred and Constance Bennett of Marion, Mass. His father was a boat builder who taught Will woodworking and mechanical skills. He attended Wareham High School where he graduated at the age of 16 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He trained as a crash rescue airman and paramedic and served several campaigns on an airbase on Okinawa during the Korean War.
He was honorably discharged in 1959 and returned home to Marion, Mass. where he found work building boats in Mattapoisett, Mass. Will and his older brother Fred started Old Harbor Marine service where they worked together for years servicing boats in Chatham, Mass.
In 1972, Will and his wife Ann moved to a farm in Waldoboro. He found work at Shepard Chevrolet and worked there as a mechanic. Later he worked for Waldoboro Oil and then for himself servicing plumbing and heating systems. He was an active member of the Waldoboro Fire Department and served on the sewer district for many years. He also continued to build boats.
Later in life, he moved to Harwich, Mass., where he took care of his parents for years, allowing them to stay in their home. After they passed, he returned to Maine, first to Anson, then finally to Boothbay.
Will’s passions were the ocean (he spent many years tuna fishing), his cars (he loved racing club sport level and won driver of the year in Massachusetts for 1960 to 1964 in an Austin Healey Sprite). He loved animals and above everything else, he loved his family. He will be sorely missed.
Will is predeceased by parents, Fred and Constance Bennett.
He is survived by brother, Fred Bennett of Chatham, Mass.; son, Timothy; daughter-in-law, Jodi; and grandchildren, Kira and Timothy II, all of Waldoboro.
The family’s wishes are to have a private service.
To extend online condolences, please visit, www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Hall’s of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements.
