Willie Charles Bennett

Willie Charles Bennett, age 67, was born December 9, 1949 to Charles Willie and Viola (Robinson) Bennett, in Cincinnati, Ohio; where he graduated from Taft High School. He went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

A resident of Columbus since 1992, Willie Bennett served the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul. He retired from the Ohio Department of Corrections after spending more than 25 years working as a substance abuse counselor and corrections officer.

Willie was also the Pastor of Victory Christian Fellowship, located in Columbus, Ohio. He attended Cincinnati Bible College & Seminary for Media Evangelism and graduated from East Texas Bible College in 1982. He was ordained into the ministry by R.W. Shambach at East Texas Bible College in Tyler, Texas and had the opportunity to lead and serve at many congregations including Allen Chapel in Lancaster, Ohio, First Born Church of the Living God in Cincinnati, Ohio, and numerous churches throughout Central Ohio.  He was also a member of World Harvest Church under the leadership of Pastor Rod Parsely.  He had a heart of service for many and was a student of God’s word.

Willie was a devoted lead guitar player who loved to minister through music. He ministered with several groups: The Saunders Family, Potters Temple First Born Church Male Chorus, and serving those incarcerated in state and federal penitentiaries. One of his favorite songs was: “Lord Give Me Two Wings.”

Willie was preceded in death by his grandfather, Bishop W.B. Bennett; grandmother, Viola Render; father, Charles Willie Bennett; mother, Viola Robinson; brothers, Bernard Bennett and Billy Bennett; sister, Viola Bennett; son, Charles T. Smith; and grandson, Christopher “CJ” R. Bennett II.

Willie is survived by beloved wife, Artie James-Bennett; sons, Micah (DeQuidda) Bennett, Brandon Bennett, Christopher (Taquilla) Bennett, Corey (Sheila) Bennett, and Willie Bennett; daughters, LaKesha (Gregory) White-Mapp and Nikoia Bennett; sisters, Gayle Bennett, Delores Hatcher, Charlene (Patrick) Flowers, and Karla (Stephen) Johnson; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Visitation 10:00am and Funeral 11:00am Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at New Mt. Sinai COGIC 4345 Cleveland Ave.

Interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.