BENNETTMr. David Bennett, age 57, of Monticello, GA died Wednesday, September 23, 2009. He was born on August 6, 1952 in Dodge County, Georgia to the late William Ross Bennett and his mother Hazel Roland Bennett, who survives him. Mr. Bennett attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Monticello. He was the Executive Director of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Mr. Bennett began his career with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission in 1974 as a Field Representative and later a Regional Representative where he worked to establish the Commission’s first southeast Georgia regional office. Mr. Bennett led the Commission's Statesboro and Milledgeville Regional offices. He accepted the position of Deputy Executive Director in 1999 and following the retirement of Director F. Graham Liles, Jr. in 2003, Governor Sonny Perdue named Mr. Bennett as the Executive Director of GSWCC in June 2003. Mr. Bennett retired from the Commission in December 2005, and became the first Executive Director for GACDS from January 2006 until 2007. He was a crucial part of the planning and execution of the 2006 NACD Legislative Tour in Georgia. This tour attracted congressional staff from around the U.S., and the benefits from this tour are still being reaped by Georgia Agriculture, especially during the recent Farm Bill negotiations. Mr. Bennett received numerous service awards from the State of Georgia, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors. Among them are these; GACDS Leadership Award, GACDS Superior Professional Support to Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Goodyear Conservation Award, Past member of the Governor’s Agricultural Advisory Task Force and in 2008 was an inductee into the NACD Southeast Hall of Fame. Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife: Mrs. Carey Tuck Bennett, of Monticello, GA; Mother: Mrs. Hazel Bennett of Eastman, GA; Son: William David Bennett, II. of Cordele, GA; Brother and Sister-in-law: Danny and Terri Bennett of Cochran, GA; Sister: Betty J. Garrard of Jacksonville FL; Sister and Brother-in-law: LeeAnn and John Wynns of Roswell, GA; Nieces, Nephews, other family and close friends. The family will receive friends at Harwell-Wheeler Funeral Home from 6:00PM until 8:00PM Thursday, September 24, 2009. Funeral services for Mr. Bennett will be held at 2:00PM Friday, September 25, 2009 at The First United Methodist of Monticello with Reverend John Brown officiating. Interment will follow at the Old Concord Church Cemetery in Monticello. Friends may sign the on-line registry at: www.wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home and Crematory, 11405 Brown Bridge Road, Covington, GA 30016 is in charge of the arrangements. (770) 786-7111
Mr. William David Bennett
Wheeler Funeral Home
