Bennett’s generosity revealed at memorial

Monday, Jan. 13, 2003 | 10:51 a.m.

Las Vegans have long known that gaming giant William Bennett, one of America's richest men, was generous with his money.

But even his closest friends who worked with him on numerous charity functions did not know just how generous the former chairman of Circus Circus Enterprises and owner of the Sahara was with other charity ventures.

That is, until Friday's memorial service at Artemus Ham Hall on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an institution to which Bennett donated $10 million and has buildings named for him and his wife, Lynn.

Rabbi Felipe Goodman said Bennett, who died Dec. 22 in Las Vegas at age 78, was not Jewish but insisted on providing a check in 1998 to help build Temple Beth Sholom.

Ten years earlier, the creation of the valley's first low-cost spay and neuter clinic was made possible by a $500,000 contribution from Bennett, an ardent animal rights activist. Bennett's support was crucial to the success of the late Cece Leboeuf and her Animal Rescue Foundation, an organization that evolved into the Animal Foundation of Nevada, which today operates Las Vegas' animal shelter.

UNLV President Carol Harter revealed to 400 mourners that Bennett's $5 million gift to build the Lynn Bennett Early Childhood Development Center was made during a phone call during which Bennett first demanded she tear up a $5,000 bill he received from UNLV for professional development services for his employees.

"I didn't know about the synagogue and I never knew about the animal shelter -- and we worked on so many charitable projects together," Gov. Kenny Guinn said after the services.

"That just further shows how he was so dedicated to the cause of helping others. Bill was the 368th richest man in America, according to Forbes magazine. But we don't measure a man by his wealth, we measure him by the good he did for his community with that wealth."

Bennett never wanted public credit for his generous acts, however.

"I once saw him yell at someone on the phone because a $1 million gift he gave wound up publicized in the newspaper," said Maynard Ostrow, president of Concession Midway & Festival, the firm that 28 years ago was given the midway games contract by Bennett for Circus Circus.

Despite his wealth and position, Bennett was frugal and avoided ostentatious trappings in the work place.

Guinn recalled that Bennett's offices over the years were small and his desktop was cleared of materials, except when the checks came in, and he personally examined and signed each one.

"He was never wasteful," Guinn said. "He would order half a sandwich and eat everything on his plate."

John Wilhelm, president of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union, said perhaps the greatest example of Bennett's generosity came a year into the six-year Frontier strike, when Bennett fed striking workers three meals a day, seven days a week for five years.

"He valued the role of employees," Wilhelm said. "He gave all of us living daily proof there walks on this earth a humanity that burns bright."

Guinn noted that Bennett knew many of his workers by their first names and, "always made payroll. When his casino did not make payroll, he made the payroll out of his own pocket."

Rabbi Goodman said, "Mr. Bennett taught us the secret of being a man is to be able to touch others with dignity, honor, inspiration and with kindness."

His 20 years at the helm of Circus Circus Enterprises included overseeing the openings of the Excalibur and Luxor. In 1995, after leaving Circus Circus, Bennett purchased the Sahara and oversaw major renovation.

The family says donations can be made in Bennett's memory to the Bennett Foundation, 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109.