William Henry Bennett, Jr. ’49

William Henry Bennett, Jr. ’49 of Houston, Texas, died July 26, 2005. After graduating from Davidson, he attended the Mississippi College of Law and graduated magna cum laude. He was adjunct professor at the school from 1957 to 1967. He was licensed to practice law in Mississippi and Texas. His working career was predominantly in Texas. He had a longtime contractual relationship with Random House and received the Bennett Cerf Achievement Award. He was honored with a lifetime membership in the Kiwanis Club of Corpus Christi where he served as president. After retiring to the Texas Hill Country, he served as court-appointed attorney ad litem representing children in state custody who had been abused, abandoned, molested, or neglected. He served on a number of civic committees. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, an elder, and Sunday school teacher. He was preceded in death by his son John. Survivors include his wife of fifty-three years, Martha Allen Bennett, 5151 Buffalo Speedway, Apt. 2315, Houston, Tex. 77005; his son, William H. Bennett III and wife Michelle of Houston; a daughter, Carol Ann Lee and husband Duane, of Franktown; daughter Barbara Finkel and husband Kevin, of Houston; and three grandchildren.