Retired Air Force Major General Donald W. Bennett of Shiloh, IL, passed peacefully to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 25, 2025. He spent his formative years in Buckhannon, WV where he achieved Eagle Scout status in 1942 and his private pilot license in 1945.
Throughout his life, Don expressed his aviation passion through his expert aircraft modeling skills. He currently has models on display in four separate national and local museums. After high school and during WW2, Don enlisted in the US Navy and upon his honorable discharge, attended West Virginia University on the GI Bill. He married his High School sweetheart, Velma May Smith (1927-2020) in 1948 (a marriage that lasted 72 years).
He graduated from WVU in 1950 with a Mechanical Engineering degree and received an Air Force direct commission to pilot training in 1951. Upon graduation, he flew jet fighters in California and Germany before an ROTC assignment to his alma mater WVU.
During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, he was assigned to fly and protect the NE US border from incoming Soviet bombers. He subsequently received an Exchange Tour with the Royal Air Force flying their advanced fighters against Soviet incursion into the British Isles. In 1966, he began various flying assignments and staff positions (Dover AFB, DE and Scott AFB, IL) before deploying for a remote tour in 1970 to Vietnam where he served as a senior advisor to the VNAF.
Upon his return, he was assigned to Ft McNair, VA , Scott AFB, IL, and McChord AFB, WA before becoming Wing Commander of the 60th MAW at Travis AFB, CA. Returning to Scott, he was promoted to Brigadier General in 1978 and Major General in 1981. He was then reassigned to Travis AFB again where he assumed command of 22nd Air Force charged with commanding one half of the Air Force’s global transport forces and personnel. After 34 years of service to his nation, he retired in November 1984 and, with Velma, moved to O’Fallon, IL.
General Bennett’s decorations and service distinctions include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Order of the Sword, Vietnam Honor Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Royal Air Force Staff College.
A jet aviation pioneer, he flew 45 distinct aircraft to include the F-86 and F-102 fighters, the C-141, C-5, and C-130 transports as well as the (RAF) Lightning and Hunter fighters, Vulcan bomber and uniquely, the Goodyear Blimp.
In his post Air Force career, he served as the Director of Airports-St Louis Lambert IAP, as a member of the MO-IL combined East West Gateway Commission, as the O’Fallon IL Police/Fire Commissioner, and Chairman of the Okaw Valley Council Eagle Scout Committee.
His lifetime awards include state recognition as a West Virginia Ambassador, a Kentucky Colonel, a Tennessee Squire, and an Arkansas Traveler. Finally, through it all, Don loved his church family and held various church leadership positions and taught bible studies.
Surviving family members include Col (retired) Bob (Dusty) Bennett of Sunset Hills, MO, and Lt Col (retired) Tom (Patty) Bennett of O’Fallon, IL. Grandchildren include Sarah (Pete) Howard of Navarre, FL, Polly (Jon) Baker of Boulder CO, Kate (Shawn) Lapides of Crestwood, MO, Joshua Bennett of O’Fallon, IL, Kristen Bennett of Collinsville, IL, Kimberly Bennett also of Collinsville, IL, and nine Great Grandchildren.
The family expresses a special thank you to his kind caregivers at Addington Place Assisted Living in Shiloh, IL, St Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL, Liberty Village Rehabilitation Services in Maryville, IL, Mercy South Hospital in St Louis, MO, and Friendship Village Hospice and Nursing Care in Sunset Hills, MO.
Major General Bennett was a member of The Shiloh Church at Three Springs, 210 S. Main St., Shiloh, IL. His Life Celebration will be hosted in the historic church on Friday May 16, 2025 with visitation from 9-11 am. Celebration Service will begin at 11 am, with full Military Honors and Reception to follow.
His internment, escorted by the Illinois Patriot Guard, will be on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St Louis, MO alongside his beloved Velma.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Shiloh Church at Three Springs, Shiloh, IL (www.theshilohchurch.org), Mosaic Health Services in Granite City, IL (www.revealmosaic.com), Shriner’s Hospital (www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/st-louis), or The Missouri Civil War Museum at Jefferson Barracks, St Louis, MO (www.mcwm.org).
Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, IL, is charged with his life celebration arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
