In an era of political haughtiness and ego, we should recognize the life example of public service demonstrated by Hamilton County Assessor Bill Bennett.
As I told my friend Bill many times, he and former Governor Winfield Dunn were the best “gentlemen” I knew in politics. He was kind, humble and honest.
To honor his legacy, we should all try to carry ourselves a little more like Bill did. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Zach Wamp
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A dedicated and capable community leader with the heart of a servant has gone home to his reward. He will be missed by every one who knew him, but the fruits of his labor will long be recognized today and for generations to come.
Bill Bennett in his every campaign and community endeavor ran a good race well. He has successfully finished his course and each of us benefit from it.
Bobby Wood
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I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Bill Bennett. As Hamilton County Assessor of Property and a member of the County Commission, he was a tireless public servant who truly embodied the best of East Tennessee.
The legacy of Bill Bennett will forever be intertwined with the success of Hamilton County. I send my heartfelt condolences to the Bennett family and their friends during this difficult time.
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann
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The passing of Bill Bennett is a tremendous loss to not only his family, but this community. Bill's leadership in various elected offices has left an indelible mark on Hamilton County.
Bill always liked to describe himself as "a humble servant of the people." Humble he was, but more importantly Bill was truly a servant of the people. Whether serving as a county commissioner or as the Hamilton County Assessor, Bill was truly dedicated to the public welfare. Never more so than when he took his personal challenge with cancer and became a relentless advocate for a cure for multiple myeloma. We always enjoyed Bill's visits to our office every year with survivors of the disease and learning the latest developments in his crusade to beat this deadly disease.
Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew him and especially among those of us who were privileged to work alongside him and were able to call him associate and more importantly...friend.
We share Bill's family's grief and remember them in our prayers this weekend.
Jim Coppinger
Hamilton County Mayor
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I was so sad to hear the news of Bill Bennett’s passing. For us who are in public service, we didn’t have to look any further than Bill for an example of what it truly meant to be a public servant.
Although I’ve known Bill for several years, it was when I came into office that learn to really appreciate the true man he was. There was never a time that I came into contact with him that he didn’t tell me, “Keep your head up. You are doing a good job”. Coming from Bill Bennett, sometimes that’s the only words I needed.
I will miss his smile and words of encouragement. But I will always have the example he set for me.
Randy Fairbanks
Hamilton County Commissioner
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Bill Bennett was as fine a man as I ever met. I was deeply honored to get to know this wonderful citizen during my retirement over the last ten years. Bill was a great American Patriot and he represented everything that is right about the United States. May God rest his soul and may all Americans strive to emulate his life.
With Great Respect,
B. B. Bell
General, US Army (Ret.)
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Hamilton County lost a true friend and leader with the passing of Bill Bennett. He was a kind, generous, humble and dedicated public servant. Not only in Hamilton County but across the state of Tennessee, Mr. Bennett was well respected and admired by his fellow Assessor’s.
I always looked forward to seeing him come by the office. He was always interested in the office and the employees during our conversations. He was a trusted mentor and advisor in my first two years in office as Assessor. Mr. B will be missed by me and the employees in his office.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to Mrs. Bennett and his children Lee Ann, Brad and J.B. My prayers for comfort and healing in the coming weeks and months.
Hamilton County Assessor Marty Haynes
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Our community is saddened by the loss of Bill Bennett. The accolades have poured in about Bill, but there are not enough to describe him.
He was a great public servant and a wonderful family man. He was dedicated to his faith, family and to the public positions he held. He was a kind caring person with a contagious smile.
I was privileged to hear him give a public speech on three different occasions. Once was at the Manorhouse Assisted Living facility. Afterward he was kind enough to visit my mother who was a resident there. She bragged for years about Bill Bennett visiting her.
Bill was a great public speaker. I told him with the friends he had and his speaking ability he should consider running for a State or Federal position. He said no, he loved his job and loved the people he worked with. He said, "I'm staying put".
Each time Bill spoke he quoted his favorite poem, "The Face in the Glass". He even had the poem printed on the back of his business/political cards. To paraphrase the poem it says this:
"When you get what you want and you struggle for self, and the world makes you king for a day just go to a mirror and look at yourself and see what your face has to say. For it isn't others whose judgment you must pass, the person whose verdict counts most in your life is the one starring back in the glass".
Bill could always look in the mirror and smile.
Judge Russell Bean
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Bill Bennett knew how to work with anyone, on nearly every topic. He exhibited the highest form of humility and understanding. Bill Bennett was a good man and will be missed deeply by our community.
Rick Tucker