William H. Bennett

Who was William H. Bennett?

William Hunter Bennett was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 until his death.

Bennett was born in Taber, Alberta, Canada. He attended the School of Agriculture in Raymond, Alberta, and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in agriculture from Utah State University and a Ph.D. in agriculture from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He joined the faculty of Utah State University as a professor of agronomy.

Bennett married Patricia June Christensen. They were the parents of six children.

Bennett was an avid sportsman and in 1936 tried out for the Canadian Summer Olympics team in the shot put and discus throw.

In 1970, while serving as a regional representative of the Twelve Apostles, Bennett was asked by the LDS Church to become an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and a general authority of the church. Bennett served in this position until 1976, when the position of Assistant to the Twelve was abolished by the church. At this time, Bennett became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. Bennett served actively as a general authority until 1978, when he was granted general authority emeritus status.