Henry Porter Bennett, Jr.

Henry Porter "Butch" Bennett, Jr. 56, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at his home in Bartow. Butch was born on September 4, 1959 in Naples, FL. Preceded in death by his parents, Henry P. "Hank", Sr. and Linda W. Bennett, he is survived by his sister Judy Schultheis (Terry) of Bartow, and Bill Bennett of Wauchula. After graduating from Bartow High School in June of 1977, he began his 21 year career in the U. S. Navy, serving in Okinawa, Spain, Hawaii, stateside, and also aboard the USS Enterprise. He retired as a Senior Enlisted Manager (E7). After the Navy, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Warner Southern College. An avid dog lover, He became a certified Canine “Master Trainer” and provided in-home dog training. Umpiring little league baseball, softball and also high school softball was another one of his passions. He was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bartow. The family will receive friends Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. at Whidden-Mclean Funeral Home, Bartow. Funeral services will be held Monday January 11, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 W. Stuart St., Bartow. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at 2:00 P.M. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34231. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 197, Bartow, FL 33831.