C. E. Bentley

C.E. "Sonny" Bentley, of Abilene, died September 3, 2010 on a cruise ship in Alaska. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Episcopal. The Rev. Luke Back and The Rt. Rev. Claude Payne will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Born in Ranger, Texas, October 9, 1921, Sonny grew up in Clyde, and spent most of his adult life in Abilene. Upon graduating Clyde High School, he attended McMurry University. He met his bride, Gloria "Dodie" Gill, on campus by offering to show her around the school, as he was the previous president of the freshman class. Dodie declined, saying she had lived three blocks from McMurry her entire life. The two were married, October 9, 1943. Leaving McMurry for the service in 1942, Sonny served with USAAF through 1943. Upon his return, Sonny began his career with a position at his father-in-law's savings and loan, Abilene Savings Association, later to become United Savings. Though Sonny majored in debate and journalism at McMurry, he flourished in the savings and loan business, assuming the role of president and chairman of the board in 1960. Always proud to represent Abilene and the Big Country, Sonny was involved in civic activities for many years. He served on the Military Affairs Committee, and was influential in passing legislation to begin the base housing project at Dyess AFB. He served as president of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, the United Way and the Abilene Country Club. He was recipient of the Outstanding Citizen's Award given by the Chamber of Commerce in 1964. He served on the board of directors of McMurry University, and was honored to be the first recipient of the J W Hunt Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1971. Bentley was a leader in financial groups locally and nationally. He served as president of Abilene Savings, Southwestern Financial Group, United Savings Association and Sandia Federal Savings and Loan Association. He was director of Kaneb Pipeline Partners, board chairman of United Financial Mortgage Co., and United Financial Group; director of Kaneb Services Inc. and Investors Mortgage Company. He served as president of both the Texas and the National Savings & Loan Leagues, 1970-1971. Sonny served on the advisory boards for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac during those years as well. He was chairman of the board of Thrift Holding Cos., 1985-1987, and was proud to start a family partnership, CELS Oil & Minerals, in 2006. He was a member of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, where he and Dodie married, and was pleased to gift a donation, helping to provide for the church's bell tower. Sonny was a great orator and story teller, known to family and friends for his many "shaggy dog" stories. He remained close to many friends in Abilene, Dallas and around the state, flying his plane or driving to visit, throughout his life. Sonny is described as best friend and mentor, enthusiastic travel companion and formidable domino opponent. He enjoyed years of weekly domino games with Evelyn and Syd Niblo and Charles Scarborough. Sonny's greatest joy was spending time with, and being entertained by, his four granddaughters. Bentley was predeceased by his wife, Dodie, sons, Jon Gill and Perry, sister, Kitty Fitzhugh, and cousins, T A White and Patsy Faye Farley. He is survived by his daughter, Kitty Thomas, daughter-in-law, Becky Zerger, granddaughters, Sydney Thomas, Laurel, Emma and Claire Bentley, nephews, Jerry and Johnny Fitzhugh, niece, Diane Henry, and her sons, Justin, Jordan and Graham Henry. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Sonny's name to the Perry Bentley McMurry Art Scholarship Fund, at the Community Foundation of Abilene, the Jon Bentley memorial scholarship fund through the CNM (Central New Mexico Community College) Foundation, 525 Buena Vista Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, Albuquerque, the Church of the Heavenly Rest, McMurry University, or the charitable organization of your choosing.