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William Lewis Bentley

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Claremont High School Colorado College

William Bentley Obituary

BENTLEY, William Lewis Our Beloved Bill Lifelong Claremont resident and businessman William Lewis Bentley, age 64, died at his home of cancer on September 16, 2006. He was born on November 9, 1941. Bill began working for Security National Bank in the management program in 1964 where he met and married Sharron Lee Rogers in 1965. Bill and Sharron returned to Claremont in 1968 where Bill joined his father at Bentley's Market. Bill was the third generation owner of Bentley's Market started by his grandfather, Lewis James Bentley, in 1917 and operated by his father, Fred Bentley, until his retirement and death in 1987. After Bentley's Market closed, Bill sponsored the first Claremont Farmer's Market in the current Rhino Records parking lot. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the children's Day Care Center of Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711, where Bill had recently spearheaded the newly renovated building. A memorial service and burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Oak Park Cemetery, 410 Sycamore Avenue, Claremont. Todd Memorial Chapel, Pomona is in charge of arrangements.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Sep. 20, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for William Bentley

15 Entries

Cynthia Mock Daiello

October 15, 2021

Cynthia Mock Daiello

October 15, 2021

Cynthia Mock Daiello

October 15, 2021

Cynthia Mock Daiello

October 15, 2021

Cynthia Mock Daiello

October 15, 2021

Cynthia Mock Daiello

October 15, 2021

I often remember Bill, my father Kenneth Mock were cousins and it always felt like the last 2 "men" in the family . I miss seeing Sharron and our cousin Susan .. hope all of you are well. Ken passed this year at 92, and my son Travis passed in 2015.
Love Cynthia

Cynthia Daiello

February 14, 2021

My father and Bill, cousins, enjoyed each other very much. Ken Mock has passed away now and remembering both.
Please pass on to Susan that our dad passed.

Diann Ring

September 21, 2006

A gentle soul has left our universe, and I will greatly miss him.

Mary Moffatt

September 20, 2006

Bill certainly made a great contribution to the Pomona Concert Band. My best wishes to his family during this difficult transition time. He'll be playing lots of celestial music now. (I play flute & piccolo with the PCB)

Josephine (Jo)` Partida

September 20, 2006

Insofar as owning his own business in the Village, William Bentley's father, Fred Bentley, was the owner of Bentley's Market for many, many years. With the passing of years, Fred became one of the oldest merchant/owner in downtown Clarement. When Fred Bentley passed away in 1987, his son, William, took over the market. Since I was one of their customers for a number of years, I always found both Fred and Bill to be complete "gentlemen" who always treated their valued customers with the utmost graciousness, dependability, and honesty. Both men possessed immense integrity and it was very evident in their business. I miss the market to this day.

The second oldest merchant/owner was my husband, David Partida. With Fred's passing, David became the oldest merchant/owner in the Village. His shop, Dave's Shoe Shop, was also situated in the Village a few doors south of Bentley's for 48 years before his own passing in 1996. On the night of my husband's memorial services at Todd's Memorial in Claremont, I was deeply touched to see so many of my husband's friends and customers who came by to pay their last respects. Among the many people who were gathered that night was Bill Bentley. Recalling Fred Bentley's passing, and Bill's own personal losses, I was both saddened and elated that Bill had made the time to come to Todd's to offer his condolences to me and my family in our loss. It should not have surprised me because I knew Bill to be a very caring, dedicated and loyal individual who was highly community-minded, always involved and working tirelessly on his service projects.

Fred taught his son well. Bill was quiet with a wry sense of humor, but a joy to converse with, if you were lucky to waylay him, because he was always on the run. Because he was a "people" person, he too became a highly respected businessman just like his late father.

My sincerest condolences to his wife and the rest of his beloved family. He is now in the spiritual company of his father

and sons. Bill will be sorely missed by all who knew him. God Bless him, and may he rest in peace.

Valerie and Art Phelps

September 20, 2006

We knew Bill as a member of the Pomona Concert Band and Claremont Winds. He was a fine trombone player and an enjoyable conversationalist. Once, when I had had an elongated conversation with a conductor, I told Bill that some people felt that we were arguing. I felt that we were just discussing a point. "Oh," Bill said, "I have those types of conversations with my son; we call them 'discussments.'" A great term, and one I tell many people about. God bless you, Bill; I know that you will continue to play some amazing music -- much better than here on Earth. God bless your Earthly family, we were all fortunate to meet here on Earth. Tell Stan "Hello."

Love to you, Valerie and Art Phelps

Janel Henriksen Hastings

September 20, 2006

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bentley through the dedicated and tireless work he committed to the Claremont Presbyterian Children's Center. As a parent and member of the CPCC board, I - along with my family - will always be grateful to Bill for his love and concern for the smallest and youngest members of our community. My heart goes out to all of the Bentley family; he will truly be missed.

Janet Siedschlag

September 20, 2006

I didn't get to know Bill until the last two years, when he dedicated himself to the renovation of the Claremont Presbyterian Children's Center. I was so impressed with his dedication to this project, even while his health was suffering. God bless you, Sharron & family

Jim Pirlo

September 20, 2006

Our Love goes out to Sharron and family, Bill,you will be missed by so many,you are with GOD,and in his arms he holds Andrew,so now you are both together.

Sincerely,Jim and Pete

Bill & Maggie Montgomery

September 20, 2006

Our

sincerest condolences to the family of Bill Bentley. Bill was as fine a person

as you would ever want as a friend and as a member of the Claremont community.

We will miss him greatly.

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