Bobby Gene Bentley

Bobby Gene Bentley

April 7, 1937 - May 20, 2026

Bobby Gene Bentley, 89, of Taylorsville, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory after a short period of declining health. 

Bobby was also known as “the walking man” to passers-by traveling along Vashti Road and Black Oak Ridge Road in the Sugar Loaf area of Alexander County. As he neared his retirement from Gulf States Paper Corporation in Conover, Bobby began walking three to six miles a day along the roads near his home. For every three miles, he made a notch in the stick he carried on his adventures. When asked how far he’d walked, he would say something like, “I’ve made it to California about three times. I'm now heading back home.” With a collection of 9 walking sticks, the notches added up to over 21,000 miles that he had walked around the 10-Acre Rock area where he was born and still lived. 

Bobby was the last living child of Ambrose T. Bentley and Ruby Daniels Bentley. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Johnson Bentley, and siblings, Julia McCurdy, Belva Bentley, and Hazelene Munday (his twin).

Survivors include his son, Marvin Bentley of Hiddenite, and Monica Bentley Wise and husband, Mark Wise, of Vale. He proudly loved his two teenage grandchildren, Megan and MJ Wise of Vale. 

Bobby’s large family circle includes his in-laws, Jeanette and Robert St. Clair of Taylorsville, Lucie and Terry Whisnant of Granite Falls, Patsy Bentley of Taylorsville, and James Munday of Statesville. He had a large number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Bobby’s final few years included daily visits from his niece, Susan McCurdy Curry and husband Terry. He also relied on his neighboring nephew, John McCurdy and wife, Carol, and nephew Philp McCurdy and family. His retirement years were filled with joyful memories of spending time with his church family at Hiddenite Baptist Church and of his close friends, Gerald and Odessa Treadway, who “adopted” him into their own family. 

Bobby’s funeral service will be held at Hiddenite Baptist Church on Sunday, May 24, at 4pm followed by burial at the Hiddenite Cemetery. The family will receive friends 1 hour before the service (3-4 pm). Pastor Zach Deal will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hiddenite Community Helpers (HiddeniteHelpers.org).

Condolences may be sent to: www.adamsfunerals.com.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services are honored to be serving the family of Bobby Gene Bentley.

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