ONLINE EDITION FRIDAY AUGUST 31, 2001

By Judy Lombardi

This year, the Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” awardee is to be a gentleman who just happens to wear many hats. If this phrase were created for only one person, it would be Hicksville’s own Bill Bennett. If Bill sees that something must be done, he takes the job on – not to just do it but to do it well.

Bill was brought up in Gravesend, Brooklyn. He attended public elementary and junior high schools and the Westinghouse VHS. He then enrolled in Pratt Institute for Architectural Design.

In 1951, Bill entered the US Army and served in Korea. During his tour of duty, he received several medals and citations of distinction, the Bronze Star being an example. With his tour of duty up, he was discharged with the rank of sergeant and returned home.

Clara, Bill’s wife, and Bill were both born in Brooklyn. They met, by the powers that be, in Manhattan and were wed in 1959. They have two children, Raymond, married to Marlene, resides in N. Merrick and their daughter Catherine is a NYPD PO who resides in Hicksville.

Clara is also a person who has always been involved in volunteering her time and energy. Her list of accomplishments is almost as long as Bill’s.

In 1954, Bill attended Delahanty Institute for Drafting. With this completed, he was hired by Duralab Equipment Corp. and became manager of the estimating department. This happy relationship lasted 42 years until his retirement in 1996.

One would think it was time for Bill to put on his slippers, put his feet up and rest on his laurels. Not Bill. He is currently a member of the Knights of Columbus Joseph Barry Council #2520 in Hicksville. (In 1959 he was elected Chancellor of the K of C Isabella Council #873, his original post).

Many years of dedication have been applied to Holy Family Parish. Bill was chairman of the Parish Council and religious teacher for 10 years with the third and sixth graders, among many other positions held.

Three positions were held on the Hicksville Board of Education, each being a three-year term. These were president, vice president, and secretary. He was on the budget committee, district policy committee and others for 13 years.

Bill joined the K of C, Wm. M. Gouse, Jr. VFW Post #3211 in 1984. Several of the many posts held were: Commander, Jr. and Sr. Vice Commander plus the Nassau County VFW Commander; he is currently president of the Hicksville Public Library Board; ran the Hicksville Memorial Day Parade of ’98, ran the United Veterans Services at the local cemeteries, and was grand marshal of the Hicksville Memorial Day Parade.

His latest position is director of the Hicksville Gregory Museum, an Earth Science Center. The Gregory is the home of collections of rocks, minerals, butterflies and many of Hicksville’s historical collections, including photos, news articles, items used in everyday living, etc. Bill is also guardian of two unique (never-before discovered species) dinosaur eggs.

If anyone is interested in helping the chamber celebrate with this “Citizen of the Year” at our dinner dance call Judy at 931-7170.

(Note: The writer is executive secretary of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce.)