William J. Bennett Loved Spending Time on Island

William J. Bennett of River Edge, N.J. and East Chop died Jan. 1 at his home. He was 88. He first came to the Vineyard in 1941, and other than his time in the United States Army in World War II, he spent part of each summer on the Island.

Bill worked for Public Service Electric and Gas Company of New Jersey for 43 years. After retirement, he and his wife were able to spend from the end of May to the end of September at their East Chop home.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Eleanor Codding Bennett; their son, William H. Bennett and wife Elizabeth; and their daughters, Miranda Bennett of Charlottesville, Va., and Nancy Davis, her husband Jonathan of River Edge, and their children, Jonathan Jr., Lindsay and Caitlin. Also surviving is William's brother, Richard A. Bennett of West Yarmouth. He had three other brothers who predeceased him.

Bill loved having his children, grandchildren and friends share with him his love of swimming, walking and bike riding. He loved caring for his tomato garden and sharing his tomato crop with neighbors.

During their summers on the Island, Bill and his wife called Trinity United Methodist Church their summer church.