Wallace Raymond (Ray) Bennett, Jr. departed this life peacefully and went to spend eternity with his heavenly father on May 18, 2017. He was born on September 24, 1946 to Wallace Raymond Bennett, Sr. and Wilma Vearleene Meadows Bennett in Hurricane, West Virginia. He graduated from Hurricane High School in 1964 and then joined the United States Army where he served until 1968. He served in the Vietnam War at Cam Ranh Bay Army base from 1967 to 1968. He is preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, Sim Robert Meadows and Mary Florence Davis Meadows and his paternal grandparents, Sherman Cecil Bennett, Sr. and Lula Marie Fallen Bennett, second wife Carol Sue Bennett and fiancé Anita Meeks. He is survived by his children, Brenda Lee Bennett Pleasant and her husband Waymon Pleasant of Robeline, Louisiana, Kimberly Dawn Bennett Sturkie and her husband Sammy Sturkie of Rock Hill, S.C., Richard Wayne Bennett of Camden, S.C., Batina Davis of Portland Oregon, Lori Lynn Hanlon of Columbia, S.C., his grandchildren, Chantly Leanna Sturkie of Rock Hill, S.C., Travis Ray Bennett of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Kalie Nicole Drago of Gulfport, Mississippi, Dewayne Carlton Duncan of Robeline, Louisiana, Chantal Marquis Simon and Joshua Alphonso Simon, both of Columbia, S.C., one great-grandchild, Christian Alphonso Simon of Columbia, S.C., two sisters, Linda Carol Bennett Keener and Dian Kay Bennett Harden, both of Culloden, West Virginia and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. An active member of El-Bethel Community Church in Lugoff, S.C., he loved his church family very much. He was a head usher as well as being the head of the men’s ministry and he participated a lot with the youth group as well. He lived on Lake Wateree for the last 40 years. He loved hunting, fishing and traveling but what he held closest to his heart was that of being a father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed but always lovingly remembered by his family and friends. There will be a memorial service officiated by the Rev. Joe Stines at Powers Funeral Home in Lugoff, S.C. on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 6:00 pm. The family will receive visitors immediately following until 9:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given in Ray’s name to El-Bethel Community Church in Lugoff, S.C.