Mr. Oliver P. Bentley

WardWilson

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Posted by: WardWilson
Date: Dec 13 2011 4:46 PM

Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home Cemetery and Crematory

2414 Hartford Highway

Dothan, Alabama 36305

334-792-4194

 

www.wardwilson.com

 

Mr. Oliver P. Bentley of Dothan went to be with his Lord on Monday, December 12, 2011, at Flowers Hospital. He was 98.

Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Thursday, December 15, 2011, at First Baptist Church, Dothan with Reverend Bob Gross officiating. Burial will follow in the Dothan City Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing.

The family will be receiving friends at the First Baptist Church, Dothan from 1 to 2 P.M. Thursday, December 15, 2011, one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be made to First Baptist Church, Dothan.

Oliver P. Bentley was born to Sabina and Oscar Lee Bentley on May 13, 1913, in Birmingham, AL. Oliver’s young years were spent in Birmingham, where he developed an early fascination with automobiles. His mother loved to tell of him spending all his free time tinkering with automobiles. When he was 13, he collected parts from the junk yard and built his first car which to her delight, actually ran. It was a love that lasted a lifetime. He attended Howard College in Birmingham where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He was studying architecture with the intention of becoming an architect. Unfortunately, the family lost all their savings in the depression bank crash and he had to quit and go to work. He turned to his love of cars. He moved to Dothan and begin his service station career at the corner of Main and Oates. He left Dothan for a 5 year hitch during World War II to serve as Senor Draftsman with the US Engineers. After the war, he returned to Dothan and bought the Shell station across the street from his old station, again on the corner of Main and Oates. He retired after 33 years. He came out of retirement to manage Hayes Oil Company’s Shell Stations for several years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church and took an active role for many years serving on numerous committees as well as serving as Deacon. He loved his Sunday School class and participated until his health would no longer allow him to continue. He was also an active member of the Shiner’s.

After the tragic drowning of his brother and sister-in-law, he and his wife, Regina raised his brother’s two children from the ages of 8 to 13. He was blessed with a wonderful marriage of 72 years.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Regina, daughter, Olivia Ann Tift and son-in-law, Tommy Tift of Atlanta, GA; niece, Lyn Tucker of Dothan, nephew, Jud Bentley and his wife, Brenda, one grandson, Matt Warrick and his wife, Cheryl, two great-grandchildren, McKenna and Drew, grand nephews and niece, Beau and Karen Bentley and his children, Megan and Alexia, Ben Bentley, Brent Bentley, Bobby Tucker, and wife, Joy and their children, Trey and Jackson Grey, Barry Tucker and wife, Deana and their two children, Mitchell and Merideth, Anne Baggett and her two children, Jordan and Hank, Sam Tucker and his wife, Allison and their twins, Bentley and Trot. Also his nephew, son of his brother, Oscar, Richard Bentley and wife, Phyllis and family.

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