William "Pappy" Bennefield, Sr.

Bishop William “Pappy” H. Bennefield, Sr., of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, entered eternal rest at 12:33 PM on Saturday, July 6, 2019, in the Emergency Room of Grove City Medical Center, following a sudden illness. He was 93.

Part of the greatest generation, Bill was born on August 30, 1925, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, a son to William “Mac” McKinley Bennefield & Rosetta Isabelle (Jayne) Bennefield.

Self was forgotten the day that Bill left his home to defend our flag and to help keep our country free when he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

He worked as a tool and die maker for Mercer Forge before retiring in 1989.

His faith led him to the ministry and he was ordained as a minister in the early 1950s. With his diligence in ministry from his home, he was also honored with ordination under Apostolic Ministries, Inc. in 1980.  He later joined Shield of Faith Church and Dove Ministries, Sandy Lake, and was consecrated a Bishop of Dove Ministries. He worked untiringly with the nursing home ministry for over 41 years, preaching, singing, and providing music with his electric guitar.

In his spare time, he enjoyed playing his guitar, and listening to gospel music. During his younger years, he loved hunting, fishing, and working on cars, both as a mechanic and body man. Bill was a jack-of-all-trades, who built his own home. Most recently, he liked playing board & card games.

Pappy is survived by: his children, Pastor Gary L. Bennefield, (Claire), Hadley, Pennsylvania, Minister William H. Bennefield, Jr., Sandy Lake, Karen R. Bennefield, Sandy Lake, Bishop Stephen L. Bennefield, Sr., Farrell, Pennsylvania, Shirley A. Bennefield, Sandy Lake, and Mary R. Christy (Edward), Oil City, Pennsylvania; his 13 grandchildren, Glen Bennefield, Jr., Richard Bennefield, Patricia Hosey, Jason Bennefield, David Bennefield, Andrew Bennefield, Jacob Bennefield, Stephen Bennefield, Jr., Jerrold Jordan, Learl Jordan, Janise Brown, Alicia Kaufmann, & Jared Ross; his 28 great-grandchildren; and his 7 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Naomi (Haag) Bennefield, whom he married October 10, 1951, she died July 13, 1997; son, Glen Bennefield, Sr.; daughter-in-law, Geraldine "Gerry" Bennefield; granddaughter, Karen Jordan; and great-granddaughter, Ashley Bostick.

A celebration of life service honoring Bishop Bennefield will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 6:00 PM in the Greater New & Living Way Temple, 840 Highland Rd., Sharon, Pennsylvania, 16146, where Bishop Stephen Bennefield will eulogize and Bishop Alvin McCoy will officiate. Family and friends are welcome to share in a time of gathering at the church beginning at 5:00 PM until the time of service.

As suggested by his family, memorial contributions can be made to the Greater New & Living Way Temple, c/o the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for his family at www.bricelandfuneralservice.com

Coordination of this tribute for Mr. Bennefield was presented by Daniel Briceland, Owner & Director of Briceland Funeral Service, 379 State Route 7, SE, Brookfield, Ohio 44403. (330-509-3135).