James Edward Bentley Sr.

James Edward Bentley Sr., age 86, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 in his home in Atlanta, Georgia surrounded by his family. The family will receive visitors at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church lower level, 2855 Briarcliff Rd, NE on Sunday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A rosary will be said at 7:30 PM. Viewing will also be held on Monday morning in the Church from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with a funeral mass starting at 11:00 AM Monsignor Edward Dillon will be officiating. Deacon Bob Hauert will assist. Burial will follow at Arlington Memorial Park at 201 Mt Vernon Hwy, NW, Sandy Springs, GA. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. James was born on June 13, 1928 in Sayre, Alabama to Amos and Bessie (Holloway) Bentley. He attended high school at Phillips High School in Birmingham then enlisted into the United States Navy. On June 8th, 1949 he married Betty Eleanor Hilmer in Birmingham and was the father of seven children. James was a successful Atlanta business man and owned several businesses related to the linen and uniform rental, laundry, and dry cleaning industry. He enjoyed coaching his children and grandchildren on their baseball teams and he loved playing poker with his friends. All of his children attended St. Pius X Catholic High School. He was an active member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and was an active member of the Antarctic Explorers Society. He attended many reunions of his shipmates on the USS Pine Island. He sailed around the world two and a half times during his naval career and participated in the Antarctic Expedition with Admiral Richard E. Byrd in Operation Highjump 1948-49. He retired from his businesses in 1982 and enjoyed spending time with his wife and family. James is survived by his wife, Betty, and his six children, Deborah, Marlyn, James II, Phillip, Patrick, and Jack; sixteen grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara, and his parents, Amos and Bessie Bentley (Holloway) and five brothers, Jack, Eugene, Donald, Ted, and Charles (Sonny).