William Lynn "Bill" Bennett

William Lynn “Bill” Bennett grew up in Bakersfield, graduating from East Bakersfield High School in 1963. While at East High, Bill was active on the Legislative Council and played baseball, golf and track, as well as being a finalist in the school boxing tournament.
He attended Bakersfield College, attaining his AA in 1968. He transferred to Brigham Young University, obtaining his B.S. in 1970. He pursued graduate work at Baylor University, receiving an MS in 1971, and did post graduate work at UCSB in 1974. His major was Health, Physical Education and Recreation. In addition to his athletic prowess, he was a member of the Utah Sports Officials Association and an umpire for American Legion baseball. He received numerous awards and scholarships, including being on the Dean’s Distinguished List (4.0 GPA) and receiving a National Science Foundation scholarship.
Bill was active in his church, both as a teacher and as a participant in various church athletic activities. He was a member of numerous professional societies such as the American and California Associations for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and the California Teachers Association.
Bill married Kathleen A. Pitts in 1967 and had four children, Zachary, Brady, Cory and Jamey. He was a 16 year U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve. In 1980 he was one of the top five Navy recruiters nationwide. He coached women’s basketball at East High from 1974 to 1980 and coached the women’s basketball team at BC from 1980 till his death in 1982 in a car accident. In all the years he coached, none of his teams finished less than 3rd. His high school teams always made the playoffs. When he wasn’t coaching, he taught math and science.
Bill Bennett was beloved by all who knew him. Family and friends established the scholarship that bears his name.