William Gentry Jr.

William Labe Gentry passed away in his home on Friday afternoon, December 7, 2018 at the age of 89. Bill was born on May 29,1929 in his family's home in Flag Pond, Tennessee. Mr. Gentry was preceded in death by his parents Bonnie Higgins Gentry and William Labe Gentry, Sr. and by his wife Jessie Bradford Gentry. He is survived by his sister, Helen Gentry Saunders, his daughters Betsy Luck and husband Hugh, Lucinda Knarr and husband Neil, Grandchildren Sarah Bean (Kenny), Brandon Luck (Jennifer), Jessie DeDad (Kevin) and Kristen Roberts (Dave) ten great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Gentry was a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a bachelor's degree in Education. Bill worked in Detroit building automobiles and then served in the Army during the Korean War, first in Japan and then as an auto mechanic in Korea. He completed college on the GI bill after returning from the war and married Jessie Bradford after only dating her three months. Once they completed their degrees they moved to Virginia to teach school in Petersburg and then Bill worked at the Federal Reformatory in Hopewell teaching Machine Shop to the prisoners. After retirement, Bill took up golf and joined the Senior Golf League. Bill and Jessie were happily married for 64 years. They were deeply devoted to each other and loved each other until parted by death. We now rejoice that they are together again. The family will receive friends at 10:00am until the service at 11:00am on Monday, December 17, 2018 at First Baptist Church, 235 West Washington Street, Petersburg, Virginia. His ashes will be sprinkled on Gentry mountain in Flag Pond, Tennessee at a later date in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Endowment Fund at First Baptist Church. Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Monday, December 17th, 2018 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: First Baptist Church
Address: 235 West Washington Street PETERSBURG, VA 23803

Service

When: Monday, December 17th, 2018 11:00am
Location: First Baptist Church
Address: 235 West Washington Street PETERSBURG, VA 23803