Stanley Munro “Fireball” Bennett, 86, died Dec. 16, 2003.

He was born May 26, 1917, in Denton, Mont. He grew up in Grants Pass, Ore., where the family moved when he was very young. He was quarterback and captain of the Grants Pass High School football team, and was an avid sports fan all of his life.

After returning home to Grants Pass after serving in World War II in the Army Air Corps as a P-38 pilot and instructor, he married Wanda Milledge, with whom he shared a passion for horses and a penchant for swing dancing. He was self-employed, operating Bennett Logging and as a road construction contractor. His creativity became apparent in his innovative design of logging equipment still in use today. He also became involved in cattle ranching, spending time on his ranch in Frenchglen, Ore., where he kept pack horses and hosted annual hunting parties. The couple retired in Coupeville in 1980, where they spent much of their retirement fishing and sailing in the San Juan Islands.

His family and friends will miss his quick wit and his sage advice.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Wanda; two sons, Stephen and Michael; and a daughter, Jan.

The family will have a private memorial service.