William Franklin Bennett, 87, of Decatur, formerly of the Arthur and Atwood area, died at 7:35 AM Friday, March 4, 2011 at Aspen Ridge Care Center in Decatur.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM Monday, March 7, 2011 at Shrader Funeral Home, 431 S. Vine Street, Arthur, with Rev. Lanny Faulkner officiating. Burial will be in the Bourbon Cemetery, Bourbon. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:30 PM Monday at the funeral home.

Mr. Bennett was born August 4, 1923 in Bourbon, the son of Fred and Mayme Wilson Bennett. He first married Dorthea Abbott and later married Mildred Mayfield.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred Bennett of Decatur; son, Fred Bennett and special friend Donna Dillman of Decatur; 2 daughters, LaVonn Rogers and husband Robert of St. Joseph; Debra Humphreys of Chickasha, Oklahoma; 5 grandchildren, Deidra Ochs of Oakland, Donna Sawyer of Branson, Missouri, Darrin Bennett of Atwood, Dennis Bennett of Mt. Zion, and Tina Embry of Arthur; and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers.

Mr. Bennett graduated from Arthur High School in 1941. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Atwood. He worked for Dekalb Seed Company in Tuscola; then owned and operated milk routes for 16 years; and then went back to work for Dekalb where he retired.

He enjoyed being outside, gardening, woodworking, and spending time with his grandkids.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Atwood, 231 N. Illinois Street, Atwood, IL 61913.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com.