PAMPLIN, April 1 – Athol Duane Bennett, 80, died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 in Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the husband of Benita Hancock Bennett.

Born in Boulder, WV, September 18, 1927, he was a son of the late Herbert and Virginia Teets Bennett. Athol was a US Army Veteran and a retired farmer. He loved auctions, antique collecting, woodworking, and restoring old furniture. In 1966, he was awarded Farmer of the Year in West Virginia by the Farmers Home Administration.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Juanita Warner Bennett.

In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter, Suncia “Sunny” Meadows of Appomattox; a son, Stephen Bennett and wife, Robbin of Pamplin; four step-children, Mary M. and Michael Grove of Lynchburg, Douglas and SueAnn Hancock of Appomattox; Margaret “Maggie” Hancock of Lynchburg, and James and Luann Hancock of Pamplin; three grandchildren, Angela Winans-Beasley, Delbert C. Meadows, and Cody D. Bennett; five step grandchildren, James “Jay” Mann, Marshall Hancock, Christopher Hancock, Curtis Hancock and Cory Hancock and two step great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 29, at Robinson Funeral Home by the Rev. Orville Gregory Sr. Burial followed Monday in Phillipi, WV.

The family request that contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 823, Lynchburg, VA 24505.

Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation served the family and an online condolence may be sent to the family at www.robinsonfhome.com