Clifton Lincoln Bennett

Clifton Lincoln Bennett, Chief Warrant Officer 3 (Retired), a proud veteran of the United States Army Airborne passed away of natural causes on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Mr. Bennett was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia February 24, 1947 to Roy H. Bennett and Hester Griffith Bennett.

Mr. Bennett was the thirteenth child of thirteen. He graduated from Powell Valley High School in Big Stone Gap Virginia, Walters State Community College in Morristown Tennessee with an Associate of Science, East Tennessee State University in Johnson City Tennessee with a Bachelors of Science and Golden Gate University in Fort Bragg North Carolina with a Masters in Business Administration.

Mr. Bennett enlisted in the US Army after being drafted while working at the FBI in Washington DC. He volunteered for Parachute training and after completion was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in South Vietnam where he served three tours. Mr. Bennett retired from the US Army after serving over 23 years and was awarded many medals including the Meritorious Medal with 1 oak leaf, Bronze Star with 2 oak leaf, Army accommodation medals, and other medals but was most proud of the Master Parachutist Badge.

Mr. Bennett is survived by his best friend and wife of 56 years; Shirley Childers Bennett, daughter; Heather Ables, son-in-law; William Ables, grandsons; Zachary (Jacey), Joshua (Kayla), and Noah (Brianna) and five great grandchildren.

Mr. Bennett was of the Baptist faith being baptized at the age of 15 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He would like to be remembered as a kind and honest man who loved his family more than life itself.

A Military Graveside service honoring the life of CW3 Bennett will be held Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 at Hamblen Memory Gardens in the Veterans section at 2:00PM with Military Honors by VFW Post 5266.