Leon Fife Bentley

Bentley, Leon Fife
Leon Fife Bentley died in Paradise Valley, AZ. on Friday, June 1, 2012 surrounded by his loving and devoted family. He was born in Glasgow, Missouri on August 16, 1923 to Richard Thomas and Mary Cecile Fife Bentley. As Glasgow was a small town, Leon attended the same school from first grade through high school. He served as a First Lieutenant in World War II, from June 1943-October 1946 in the Philippines, Japan and Italy. He returned to graduate from the University of Missouri in 1948. The same year he married Margaret "Peggy" Robnett. In 1957 they moved to Arizona and raised their children Marty and Bart in the Arcadia area until Peggy's untimely death from cancer in 1970. Leon began his career in Arizona working for the Bank of Douglas as the branch manager. He then became Vice President of the Guaranty Bank in Phoenix prior to opening their Scottsdale branch and serving as branch manager. In 1960 he joined W.R. Staats which merged with Glore Forgan. He was Vice President then manager when it became Dupont. He went to New York to get Harris Upham to buy Dupont's office and returned to manage Harris Upham, which became Smith Barney. He continued working until 1990 when he was elected President of the Paradise Valley Country Club, and served a 2 year term. He was a life member of the Phoenix Thunderbirds, he loved being a father and he excelled at building skateboard ramps. He was an avid golf and tennis player, self taught. As a family they enjoyed skiing, trips to La Jolla and camping at Lake Powell. In November of 1973 he married Catherine Childs, and raised their 3 children Vanessa, Dierks and Fife. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Richard, and first wife Peggy. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Cathy and all their children: Barton Robnett (Beverly) Bentley, Houston, TX., Margaret "Marty" Bentley (Robby) Hind, Kamuela, HI., Vanessa Bentley (Johnny) Lyons, Vail, CO., Frederick Dierks (Cassidy) Bentley, Nashville, TN., and Newell Fife Bentley, Guatemala, 8 Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandchild. Private Funeral Services to be held. To honor Leon the family would appreciate memorials to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or the Barrow Neurological Foundation Women's Board, c/o 6015 E. Cameldale Way, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney Murphy Funeral Home and Post Scripts by Posey.