William A. Bennett

William A. Bennett (March 7, 1887 – September 15, 1970) was an American politician who was mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts from 1939 to 1945 and sheriff of Worcester County, Massachusetts from 1945 to 1963.

Early life Bennett was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on March 7, 1887. He was educated in the Worcester Public Schools.

Politics Bennett was a member of the Worcester common council from 1921 to 1924 and was council president in 1923 and 1924. From 1925 to 1928, he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In 1935, he was elected to represent Ward 7 of the Board of Aldermen. He was president of the board in 1936 and became acting mayor following the death of Walter J. Cookson. He served for four months until John S. Sullivan won the special election to finish Cookson's term.

Bennett and Sullivan faced off in a rematch in 1939, which Bennett won decisively – 37,747 votes to 30,887.

In 1944, Bennett was a candidate for sheriff of Worcester County. He easily won the Republican primary and defeated Democratic incumbent H. Oscar Rocheleau 109,626 votes to 105,782. He served as mayor and sheriff concurrently until September 1945, when he stepped down as mayor. Bennett served as sheriff for sixteen years. He was defeated for reelection in 1962 by retired FBI agent Joseph A. Smith.

Death Bennett died on September 15, 1970.