William R Bennett Jr.

Lafayette - William Reece Bennett, Jr., Reece, 69, passed away on Sunday, March 16in Lafayette, Louisiana after battling cancer. Reece is survived by his wife of 36 years, Penny Wilson Bennett; daughter Hannah Bennett Plake (David Carl); son Jack Champe Bennett; (partner Amy); one – year old granddaughter Norah Grace Plake; sister, Rebecca Bennett Byers; his constant canine companions, Hazel and Bear Howard; and a large extended family. Reece was born in Louisville, Kentucky on September 25,1955 to Peggy Buckley Bennett and William Reece Bennett, Sr. His parents moved to Louisiana and settled in Shreveport where Reece grew up. After graduating from Captain Shreve High School, Reece attended Louisiana Tech for a year before joining the U.S. Navy. During his four years of active duty, he served on the USS Spiegel Grove and assisted in the evacuation of US citizens from Beirut in 1974. After leaving the active military, he served in the US Naval Reserve. Upon returning home, he attended LSU Shreveport, graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and later received his MS in Psychology from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In 1989, he married the love of his life, Penny Wilson, also from Shreveport, and moved to Lafayette where their beloved children, Hannah and Jack, were born. For many years, Reece worked as a rehabilitation counselor helping families with disabled children before making a career move into the oil and gas industry as a landman for several companies in Louisiana and Texas. Reece, a true Kentuckian at heart, enjoyed attending the Kentucky Derby with family and sampling his favorite bourbons. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and being on the water and in the woods. He loved the game of golf which he played with his father and later had a group of good friends who shared his passion and cheered on his good shots over the years. A talented self-taught guitarist, Reece loved to “jam” with his son, Jack, and play songs from his favorite rock groups. He enjoyed nothing more than going to the Gulf coast beaches with his family which he did throughout his lifetime. Reece was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and proud to be a direct descendent of John Champe, noted for helping Gen. George Washington spy on the British during the American Revolution. His family is grateful to the local SAR chapter and Hospice Veterans for their recognition in his final days. A devoted son, husband, father and brother, Reece was a patriotic, wise, funny and honest man who will be missed beyond measure. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Asbury Methodist Church in Lafayette on Saturday, April 26 with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. In true Reece style, a reception will follow at Top Golf Lafayette from 12:00 noon - 2:30 p.m. The interment will be private in the Frankfort, Kentucky Cemetery at a later date. The family has asked those expressions of sympathy be made to Hospice of Acadiana or any veteran’s charity of choice in his memory. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.

William R Bennett Jr.

September 25, 1955 - March 16, 2025