Roy Neill Bennett, age 83, of Brady, Texas and formerly of Liberty, Texas passed away Friday, January 18, 2019 in San Angelo. Roy was born at the family home in Marlin, Texas on September 22, 1935 to John Allen Bennett Sr. and Sarah Emaline (York) Bennett. He graduated from Riesel High School in 1955. He joined the U.S. Army after graduation. He married Barbara Ann Stuart on October 21, 1960 in Richland Springs, Texas. Upon returning from the Army, Roy worked in the oilfield for Ford, Bacon & Davis Oil Company and then Young Brothers Construction as a surveyor before accepting the City Manager position in Caldwell, serving from 1967-1972. He was City Manager in Burnet from 1972-1974, City Manager in Lockhart from 1974-1976 and City Manager in Liberty from 1976 until he retired in 1993. Upon retirement, Roy became associated with Pace Stancil Monument in Cleveland, Texas. Roy and Barbara moved to Brady in 2008, where Roy continued helping families with their cemetery monuments by establishing Heart of Texas Monuments in Brady. He was a master mason and member of the Warren Masonic Lodge in Caldwell for many years. He enjoyed golf, but his real passion was music. Roy formed a bluegrass band called Liberty Bluegrass Boys, which he led for many years. They performed all over the country and in Canada. He had his own Bluegrass radio show on KSHN Radio in Liberty for many years. Upon moving to Brady, KNEL Radio began broadcasting his Bluegrass show. Roy also hosted the Heavenly Sunshine Gospel Radio Show in Liberty and Brady for several years. He was a member of the Baptist church.

Graveside services for Roy Neill Bennett will be held at 12noon Monday, January 21, 2019 at Placid Cemetery in Placid with Reverend Morris Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends Monday morning, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Leatherwood Memorial Chapels in Brady. Friends may view Roy’s Memorial Video Tribute and/or sign the online memorial guest book at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels.com.

Roy Bennett is survived by Barbara Bennett, his loving wife of over 58 years, of Brady, Texas; sons Ronnie Bennett and wife Michele of Vidor, Texas and Steven Bennett and wife Martha of Rochelle, Texas; daughter Laura Bennett of Brady, Texas; brother David Bennett and wife Diane of Ozark, Missouri; sisters Lola Mae Brunson of Carrollton, Texas, Arlena Mullins of Waco, Texas, Helen Taylor of Grand Prairie, Texas and Betty Fleischhauer and husband Raymond of Riesel, Texas; grandchildren Joshua Bennett, Jacob Bennett, Elizabeth Plumley, John Bennett and Emily Bennett; great-grandchildren Kennedy, Kadence & Kenzie and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Beatrice V. Bragg and Ruby Dell Honaker and brothers John Allen Bennett Jr., Willie I. Bennett, M.L. (Pug) Bennett Albert Roger Bennett and Don R. Bennett.