William G. Bennett (1924 - 2022)

Early Life & Education

Born on November 16, 1924 in Glendale, Arizona, William G. Bennett was the son of rancher Allen Milton “Jack” Bennett and Marjorie Dean Williams. His grandfather, Archibald W. Bennett, helped found Glendale and built its first hotel. After attending Glendale High School and Phoenix College, Bennett served as a dive-bomber pilot in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Career in Business & Gaming

Post-war, Bennett launched a successful chain of furniture stores in Phoenix. In 1965, he joined Del Webb Corporation, honing his skills in hospitality and casino operations at Sahara Tahoe and later managing The Mint in Las Vegas. Under his leadership, The Mint recovered from a $4.5 million loss to more than $10 million in annual profit.

In 1974, Bennett co-founded Circus Circus Enterprises with William Pennington. He served as chairman from 1974 to 1994, spearheading a family-friendly gaming concept. The brand expanded with new properties in Reno and Laughlin, and later iconic Las Vegas resorts like Excalibur (1990) and Luxor (1993). His leadership made Circus Circus the state’s largest employer of its day.

After stepping down in 1994, Bennett purchased and revitalized the Sahara Hotel and Casino in 1995, continuing his legacy until he passed away from a heart attack in Paradise, Nevada on December 22, 2002.

Legacy & Community Impact

Bennett’s triumph in transforming casinos into family-oriented resorts reshaped Las Vegas tourism. He was posthumously inducted into the UNLV Lee Business School’s Business Hall of Fame. His life’s work—innovation, community-mindedness, and business excellence—embodies values honored by the naming of William G. Bennett Elementary in Laughlin, which opened in 1986 as part of the Clark County School District.