Bennie Hestand

Bennie Ralph Hestand, age 83, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Public visitation will take place at Upton-Hay Funeral Home on Saturday, October 30th from 11am to 1pm with service to follow. 

Born weighing three pounds in Moss, Tennessee on October 31st, 1937, Bennie's tenacity and vivacious spirit was evident from the very beginning. An energetic child turned rambunctious teenager, this Celina High School alum took advantage of many extracurricular activities with his friends playing football, basketball, and a bit of hooky. In his twenties, Bennie married Ann, the love of his life, and moved to Northern Kentucky to start what would end up being a nearly forty-year career as a local route truck driver and member of the Teamsters Union. 

After retirement, Bennie returned home to Celina and once again became heavily involved in the community. An avid golfer, he was known across the region not only for his talent and skill playing but also for the building and repair of golf clubs in his workshop, Hestand's Golf Works. He furthered this passion by fostering a love of the sport through work in the community with many young golfers from Clay County High School and other area schools. Bennie served many decades as an active Deacon at Celina First Baptist, enjoying volunteering for many community outreach events and being one of the first people to greet you in the vestibule on Sunday mornings with a warm, friendly smile. His family will be forever grateful for his Christ-like attitude, spiritual leadership, and Biblical guidance that shone through his every action.

Bennie was preceded in death by parents, Ben and Lula Hestand, and son-in-law, Todd Randolph. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ann Martin Hestand; daughter, Cindy Randolph; son and daughter-in-law, Boyd and Lori Hestand; granddaughters, Rachel and Rebecca Randolph, and Kennedy Hestand; as well as devoted sister, Lydia Lavelle Wood (neé Hestand); sister-in-law, Joy (Bob) Corley, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Celina First Baptist at 146 E Lake Avenue or mailed to P.O. Box 690, Celina, Tennessee 38551.

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