Dr. Robert Bentley

William Robert Bentley, known to all who loved him as “Dr. Bob”, went to heaven March 7, 2024.

He was born in Huntsville, Alabama on October 29, 1932 to George and Rebekah Hill Bentley and lived in his beloved “Five Points” until high school, when he moved to Hazel Green, Alabama. He attended Auburn University, graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in the class of 1956. He first served as a veterinarian with the USDA in the state of Tennessee—and he’s so glad he did! While there he met and married his sweetheart, Lucile Leeth of Lebanon. After leaving Tennessee he served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force in the veterinary corps in Spokane, Washington. He moved back to Huntsville in 1960 and opened Bentley Animal Hospital, serving large farm animals and small animals for almost 50 years. He loved his work and clients.

His faith in Jesus was the most important thing in his life and he devoted himself to tireless service and leadership in his church, Hazel Green UMC. He was also a community leader as Hazel Green School Trustee, numerous school booster and PTA groups, and the local men’s service club. He was also instrumental in starting the Hazel Green Volunteer Fire Department (with a story he loved to tell about their first donated fire truck with inoperative brakes!).

He loved restoring antique cars and participating in many clubs, shows, tours, and road races across the country, where he had multiple national show car winners. He coordinated several of these events in his local area. One of the highlights of his car career was participating (with “co-pilot” Wayne Scites) in the 1988 Great Race in the western USA.

If you spent any time with him you surely heard a story or two, and though they were often far-fetched, sometimes they were actually true!

One of his favorite things of all time was dancing with his beloved “Miss Luci”. He is surely dancing in heaven now.

He will be greatly missed by his three daughters: Rebekah “Bekah” Boswell (Freddy), Katherine Howard (David) and Elizabeth “Bitsy” Dickard (Woody); 9 Grandchildren: John Boswell (Lauren), David Boswell (Jasmine), Kathryn Boswell (Matt Amira), Katie Hodges (Trey), Danae Ireland (Nick), Joni Kay (Josh), William Howard (Rilea), Robert Dickard (Brooke), and Diane Griffing (Tyler); 13 Great grandchildren: Felix and Hugo Boswell, Zane and Max Hodges, Bennett, Jackson, and Emma Ireland, Colt and Chloe Howard, Sam, Ellie and Brody Dickard, and Riley Griffing; and many special cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Sunday beginning at 1pm at Hazel Green Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2pm.  Burial will then be in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Memorial gifts can be made to the School of Veterinary Medicine: Auburn University Foundation, 317 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849. Online giving options are also available.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.