William Edmund Bensel

William E. 'Bill' Bensel, 78, of Abbeville, husband of Jean Hastings Bensel, died Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Abbeville Area Medical Center. He was born in West Palm Beach, FL to the late Thomas Edmund and Lucy Elizabeth Kenney Bensel. Mr. Bensel was a criminal justice graduate from Florence-Darlington Tech. He proudly served our country in the United States Navy and Air Force with three tours of duty in Vietnam. Mr. Bensel retired from law enforcement after 35 years of dedicated service. During his career, he was employed as police chief of Timmonsville, SC, as a Correction's Officer at the McCormick Correctional Institution, owned and operated Upstate Investigations, and also part-time in the Private Security Sector. Mr. Bensel was a member of the American Red Cross, SC Law Enforcement Association and American Legion Post 2. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Fredrick Bensel and George F. Bensel. Mr. Bensel is survived by his wife of 43 years of the home; a son, Chris Bensel and his wife, Pamela of Antreville; four grandchildren, Christopher, Weslyn, Drake, and Casten. He was also loved by Dianne Ellis, Karen Beauford and Steven Smith along with their children and grandchildren. The family will receive friends 10:00AM – 11:00AM, Friday, October 28, 2016 in Asaville Baptist Church, 201 Asaville Church Road, Anderson, SC 29621. Graveside Services, with military honors, will begin at 12:00PM in M. J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery, 140 Inway Drive, Anderson, SC 29621 with Rev. Drew Martin officiating. Memorial contributions, in memory of Mr. Bensel, may be made to the American Red Cross, 2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The family is at the home of Chris and Pamela Bensel. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Abbeville is assisting the Bensel family.