William Gordon Bennett

May 30, 1936 - September 11, 2022

Benicia, CA

William Gordon Bennett, Gordon to those that knew him, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 11. Gordon was born in Caldwell, ID to Dewey and Endora Bennett on May 30, 1936. His mother and step-father relocated to Benicia early on and Gordon attended Benicia schools. Gordon entered the US Navy in 1955 and was married a year later to the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Donna. Together they had three children to complete their family. After discharge from the Navy Gordon began his career as a pipefitter at Mare Island Naval Shipyard with an expertise in nuclear naval vessels of various types. Gordon rose through the ranks, eventually retiring as a Planner and Estimator in 1988. During his time at Mare Island Gordon also served as President of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 127 and National President of the Planners, Estimators, Progressmen and Schedulers Association.

Gordon was a master craftsman, completing a family room addition on the family home in Vallejo while working full time. He did all the plumbing, electrical, sheetrock, concrete, and finish work on his own projects as well as those of friends and family. Later he built an A frame cabin at Donner Lake from the ground up that the family enjoyed for many years. The family moved back to Benicia in 1973. It wasn’t long before he was building a large garage/shop in the alley behind the house so that he and the boys could work on cars and complete projects of all kinds. Years later, after retiring, he began construction of a new home on 30 acres above Middletown, again from the ground up. Once completed Gordon and Donna enjoyed the ranch life with family and friends for many years on what became known as the BS Ranch.

Gordon and Donna moved back to Benicia in 1998 to be closer to family and friends. After settling back in Benicia, the two enjoyed traveling across the United States in their motorhome for months at a time. They also traveled to Europe and enjoyed many cruises with family.

Gordon is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Donna; his daughter, Kimberly (Don) DuBois; and his sons, Terry (Keryn) Bennett and Rick (Katherine) Bennett; his three grandchildren, Donnie, Ashley and Kelley; along with five great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 West 2nd Street, Benicia, CA. Internment will be private at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA.

Arrangements under the care of Passalacqua Funeral Chapel. Please visit his online tribute at www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com

Passalacqua Funeral Chapel (707) 745-3130