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Ben was born on May 5, 1935, in Welch, West Virginia, to Henry Bennett and Cora Day. He was one of 14 children and was the last surviving sibling of his 13 brothers and sisters.
Ben proudly served his country in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge. While stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, he fell in love with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and made the decision to call Washington home—a choice that shaped the rest of his life.
Ben built a long and respected career in the logging industry. He worked as a hook tender and crew leader for many years with Weyerhaeuser Company and other logging companies throughout the region. He was known as a hardworking, dependable man and was highly regarded as a valued employee and leader.
Ben married Jacqueline D. Hope, and together they raised five children: Martha-Dennise Allen; Henry T. Bennett, known as “T” (deceased); Lynn Falls; Benjamin H. Bennett Jr., known as “Dude”; and Mona Dover. He was blessed with five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Ben was immensely proud of the lives his children built and the people they became.
In 1969, Linda Nichols became Ben’s devoted domestic partner, sharing his life for many decades. Along with Linda came her two sons, Bruce and Kevin, whom Ben treated as his own. Bruce later married Michelle and had four children—Devin, Nicholas, Seth, and Marissa. Marissa blessed Ben with two great-grandchildren whom he adored deeply. Ben and Linda shared a life filled with the things they loved most: fishing in Westport, hunting, and tending their garden together.
Above all, Ben was a loving father, partner, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He valued family, hard work, and the outdoors. He will be remembered for his strength, dedication, and the unwavering devotion he showed to those closest to him.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
