William Estill Bentley, girl-dad to four daughters, Poppy, farmer, friend, and beekeeper, went home to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the age of 88.
Estill was a son of the late William Wesley and Carrie Wolfenbarger Bentley.
Estill was known as Bill Bentley to his coworkers at Empire Detroit Steel, Estill to his family and friends, and Poppy to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Estill was born at Fullerton in Greenup County on October 13, 1935. After graduating from McKell High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Pauline Traylor. They were married for 64 years. Estill enjoyed hunting and took many hunting trips with his buddies out in Wyoming. Throughout his life, Estill had an incredible work ethic, whether he was building quality homes, beehives, or chicken coops. Oh, how he loved farming! His retreat was a farm on Big Leatherwood. He loved nature and knew every species of animal and plant life on the farm and took great joy in sharing what he knew with his children and grandchildren.
Estill was a member of the Harrison Fullerton Masonic Lodge #937 for 61 years. He was a member of the Scottish-Rite Valley of Covington where he was the recipient of the Orient of Kentucky Scottish Rite Honors. Also Coronated Honorary 33 degree Member of the Fred Webber Council of the Knights of Kadosh. His most recent accomplishment was being awarded Kentucky Colonel.
Estill was a faithful member of Cedar Street Church of Christ in Christian Union in New Boston, Ohio. He especially loved Wednesday night Bible studies. He was an avid reader and loved learning, especially about the Bible.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Traylor Bentley; two brothers, Leonard and Lewie Bentley; and one sister, Joyce Ann Elliott.
Left behind to cherish his memory are four daughters, Kathy Ann (Rick) Angel of Raeford, North Carolina, Kimberly Sue Bentley of South Shore, Karen Leah (Butch) Leach of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and Paula Estelle (Mike) Eaches; three sisters, Lucille Branham, Linda Nickel, and Sue Cartee; and one brother, Michael Bentley; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a loving dog, Bengals. Several other family members and friends also survive who will sadly miss him.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Morton-Hunt Family Funeral Home in South Shore with Bro. Brad Angus and Bro. Gary Heimbach officiating.
Burial will follow in Siloam Cemetery at South Shore. Visitation for family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2024, at the funeral home with Masonic Services beginning at 5:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to SOMC Hospice of Portsmouth, Ohio, and Cedar Street Church of Christ in Christian Union Building Fund.
