SEYMOUR
William J. “Will” Bentley Sr., 88, of Seymour passed away Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Veterans Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, with his family by his side.
Born Aug. 9, 1928, in Pine Top, Kentucky, he was the son of Henry S. and Ellen Franklin Bentley, both of whom preceded him in death. On Jan. 15, 2006, in Seymour, he married Barbara Johnson Porterfield, who survives.
After graduating from Milan High School in 1946, he then graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in general agriculture in 1951. After this stage in life, Will enlisted in the United States Army to serve his country during the Korean War. Some of his decorations included a Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, U.N. Medal, Korean Service Medal and National Defense Medal. He served his country well and reached the rank of captain and continued to serve until he retired from the Army Reserves.
After the war, he decided to further his education and received his master’s degree in educational administration in 1960 from Indiana University. He was the high school vocational agriculture teacher for five years and then the high school principal for three years in Sunman.
Will was a member of Central Christian Church in Seymour. He retired from Safe Way of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2004. He enjoyed woodworking and was a self-taught carpenter. He was a 61-year Mason and a member of Jackson Lodge 146 Free and Accepted Masons, Eastern Star, in Seymour and a member of American Legion Post 89.
Other survivors include his children, John Bentley Jr., Jim (Karen) Bentley, Crysta (David) Lorentz and Cynthia Morton; stepdaughters, Cathy (Gary) Wente and Sarah (Don) Snyder; 15 grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; sister, Bernice Lampert; brother, Ernie (Mary Lee) Bentley; sisters-in-law, Betty (Jim) Guinn and Linda Hendricks; and brother-in-law, Grant Meranda.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mona Jo Cook Bentley; son, Jeffery D. Bentley; sister, Mary Sargent; and two brothers-in-law, Tom Lampert and Glen Hendricks.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Central Christian Church with the Rev. Jon Carlstrom officiating.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. followed by an Eastern Star service at Voss & Sons Funeral Service and from 10 a.m. until time of service Wednesday at the church.
An inurnment graveside service will follow at Riverview Cemetery with full military rites conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled Veterans 47, Korean and Vietnam Veterans, all of Seymour.
Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church or Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
Condolences may be shared at vossfuneralservice.com.