Edward Eugene Bennett, 67, of South Charleston, WV, unexpectedly passed away on the evening of December 15, 2023 at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital due to a cardiac event.  When Ed started experiencing symptoms, he was doing what he loved, enjoying live music in the company of his girlfriend Annie Scott.

Ed was born in Philippi, WV, and grew up in Grafton, attending Grafton High School, graduating in 1974.  After a few adventurous odd jobs, he started a career of over 40 years as a railroader, first as a trackman and trainman, then spending most of his career as a Yardmaster of the Grafton Terminal for the Chessie System, and ultimately CSX Transportation.  While Ed was a passionate railroader and took pride in making sure the terminal ran smoothly, his true passions were music, aviation, and boating.   Ed had a deep love for Blues and 60’s and 70’s Rock, and his nonstop guitar playing demonstrated this love.  He played guitar, along with other instruments, from a young age, and it was a rare day that Ed did not do at least a little jamming on one of the guitars in his collection.  Ed was a member of many bands over the years, and would commonly fill in for countless acts in West Virginia and neighboring states.  He was known as Geetar Eddie, and he would be proud to know that many will remember him as a Blues guitarist first and foremost.  Geetar Eddie also had a lifelong love for aviation passed down from his father, and lived this love vicariously through his son’s aviation career, which he followed with great interest and enthusiasm.  If Ed wasn’t strumming a guitar, he was likely piloting a fun adventure around the world on his computer flight simulator.  Later in life, Ed also got into boating, and certainly some of Ed’s happiest moments were out on his boat on Tygart Lake, or the Kanawha or Coal Rivers with friends, and sure enough, with a guitar in his hand most of the time.  Or sometimes a kite!  Ed also deeply loved his furry family members; a large chunk of Ed’s heart was owned by the few lady pups that were lucky enough to spend their lives by Ed’s side.  He loved and missed Maggie, Katie, Ellie and Sophie very much.

Other interests that helped Ed live a full 67-year life were watching WVU sports, playing golf, alpine skiing, fishing, playing basketball and riding motorcycles in his earlier days, and did we mention playing guitar?

Ed was preceded in death by father, Charles Edward Bennett; mother, Norma “Willie” Willadene  Pisino; step-father, Samuel Pisino; sister, Denise Diane Busse.

He is survived by son, Brian Patrick Bennett (Erika West); former wife, Twinkle Kerby; aunt, Carol Hovatter; brother-in-law, Bruce Busse; niece, Morgan (Tyler) Chaney; step-brother, Rick (Charlotte) Pisino.

A Live Musical Celebration of Edward’s Life will be planned for the spring in the spirit of how Ed viewed life and death.  His wishes were to be cremated and his cremains are to be spread over his home state of West Virginia from the air when he goes flying with his son Brian one last time.

Memories of Edward Bennett may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary.  Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling Edward’s disposition.