Mr. Howard Joseph Bentley, age 86, of Lenoir passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Frye Regional Medical Center.

Born November 17, 1938 in Ashe County, Howard was a son of the late Filmore McKinnely and Nancy Ellen Bentley.  Howard loved Chevy trucks and windmills.  He was a handy man who could fix anything.  He was very knowledgeable about plants and trees.  Howard enjoyed going to Bojangles and drinking coffee.  He will be remembered for being outgoing and having never met a stranger.  In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by numerous siblings, Jess Richard Bentley, Lessie Delilah Crump, Mattie Melinda Phillips, William "Bill" Franklin Bentley, Dale Lloyd Bentley, Grady Spencer Bentley and Martha Magadline Watson.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Norma Jean Bentley; two daughters, Lisa Bentley English (Tony) and Judy Bentley Watson (Kirk); a son, Howard Steven "Steve" Bentley (Judith); a sister, Nadine Wakefield; his grandchildren, Tabitha (Jason), Carla (Keith), Toni (Jason), Clarissa (Matt), Kristin (Joey), Karen (Tyler), Cristofer, Kathryn (Nick), Kimberly and Kyle (Stacy); he is also survived by 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Howard's life will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Greer-McElveen Funeral Home with Pastor Joe Holden officiating.

Interment will follow at the Greer-Bentley Cemetery in Fleetwood, NC.

The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory of Lenoir are serving the Bentley family.