Mr. Shelby Bruce Bentley's Obituary
Graveside Service for Mr. Shelby Bruce Bentley, 85, of Dadeville, Alabama, will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Union Cemetery. Rev. Jay Woodall will officiate. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm at Langley Funeral Home.
Shelby Bentley passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at his residence with his family by his side. Born on Tuesday, June 6, 1939, in Alexander City, Alabama, he was the son of Mr. Emmett Bentley and Mrs. Mandy Lowery Bentley. Shelby's early years in Alexander City laid the foundation for a life of service and hard work. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard for 12 years, during which he contributed his skills and courage to the efforts in the Vietnam War. Following his military service, Shelby embarked on a successful career at Mt. Vernon Mills, where he retired as a Head Electrician. His colleagues remember him as a man who gave his all and took immense pride in his work.
Away from his professional life, Shelby was a man of many interests. He enjoyed reading, watching old Westerns, and playing his guitar around the house. Shelby was also a tinkerer at heart, always piddling here and there, working on little things around the house or delving into the intricacies of genealogy. He cherished traveling with his children to various events, creating lasting memories at every opportunity. Shelby's kind nature and witty personality made him every nurse's favorite patient.
A good storyteller with an infectious laugh, he was known for his humorous attempts at jokes, often mixing up punch lines to the amusement of his listeners, but filling the room with laughter nonetheless. Shelby was the epitome of a family man, always ensuring that his loved ones were well taken care of, even at the end. He was proud of his family and loved them with every fiber of his being. This loving husband, daddy, "Paw Paw," brother, and friend will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Shelby is survived by his son, Timothy Bruce (Tara) Bentley; daughters, Angela (Jim) Graham, Carla Bentley; grandchildren, Regina Nicole, Stephen, Miranda, Steven, Evan, Anna, Lucas, Taylor, Tanner, Cameron; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Magdalene Mallory; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Grace Yvonne Walls Bentley; parents, Emmett & Mandy Bentley; and siblings, Nathan Bentley, Geneva Brantley, and Rowena Bentley.
Langley Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Shelby Bruce Bentley.
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