GEORGE NEWS - William Ballantyne Bennett, Bill to family and friends, passed away at his home on Sunday 18 August in the company of his beloved Jack Russell, Fan. Bill was 84.
Bill loved George and its people and, although frustrated by a persistent hearing loss, he participated with enthusiasm in the local art scene and the U3A.
Bill was one of the foundation members of the George Artists Club which eventually became the Southern Cape Visual Arts Association (Scava) and served as treasurer since inception until recently.
Please see the touching letter by his long-time friend and co-founder of Scava, Ken Smith, on the letters’ page of the George Herald this week.
Bill Bennett (right) and his friend Ken Smith pictured in 2016 with Lorinda Hakimi of the George Museum.
History
Bill was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 7 November 1939 and came to South Africa as a three-month-old baby.
He was educated at the Marist Brothers College in Johannesburg. After leaving school he attended an art course at the Witwatersrand Technical College Art School after which he studied for the Chartered Institute of Secretaries examinations.
After gaining work experience at an engineering company, he joined his father and brother in the family corrosion engineering business.
Apart from the arts, Bill had a lifelong interest in the Boy Scout Movement as a scout, scout master and eventually as the District Commissioner for the Vaal Triangle.
He and his brother, Gordon, worked together in the family business until Bill retired in 1995 and moved to George.
A true original
William Ballantyne Bennett, a true original, left an unforgettable impact on the lives of those who knew him.
He embodied a fierce independence, creative passion, and love for life's beauty. With a gentle soul and kind heart, his love for music, art, and animals was inspiring.
Through his unique spirit, he touched hearts and left a lasting imprint on the world around him.
His life will be celebrated at 14:00 on Saturday 31 August at 54 CJ Langenhoven Street in Heatherlands. Any donations in lieu of flowers, will go to the Garden Route SPCA in George.
Queries: Gillian Hazel – 083 516 1478
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