Clifford E. Bentley

Clifford E. Bentley, age 89, of Board Camp, died Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at the Mena Regional Health System.  He was born on Wednesday, January 15, 1930 to Raymond John and Mary Amelia Campbell Bentley in Marion, Ohio.

Clifford was an outdoorsman who loved going fishing on the back of his farm on the Ouachita River. Clifford served his God, his country and his community.  Clifford was a member of the Board Camp Baptist Church for many years, serving as a deacon and Sunday school director; served in the United States Air Force for 27 years before retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant, during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War where he received the Bronze Star; also served 30 years on the Board Camp Fire Department and former Director of the Smart Team. He loved spending time with his family and friends.  He enjoyed all different types of music. Clifford was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and a great friend who will be missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Julia Bentley and one brother, James Bentley.

Clifford is survived by his three sons and daughters in law, Michael S. Bentley of Waldo, Arkansas, Doug and Berva Bentley of North Little Rock, Arkansas, and Chip and Suzanne Bentley of Board Camp, Arkansas; his daughter, Melanie Cowart of Board Camp; one sister, Dee Dee Bilharz of Florence, Kentucky; special friend, Barbara Hedges of Mena; twelve grandchildren, Beth Rinehart, Michelle Marlette, Gene Bentley, Josh Bentley, Vici Jenkins, Douglas Bentley, Matt Cowart, Julie Nichols, Craig Bentley, Kim Chambers, Rick Burt, Matt Edwards; nineteen great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at the Board Camp Baptist Church with Brother Lynn Chiles and Brother Brett Lee officiating.  Interment followed in the Liberty Cemetery at Board Camp under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas. Visitation was Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 6-8 P.M. at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.

Pallbearers were Josh Bentley, Matt Cowart, Gene Bentley, Craig Bentley, Douglas Bentley, Neil Rinehart, Andy Marlette, Dan Jenkins, and Kelby Chambers. Honorary Pallbearers were Rick Burt, Larry Eades, Jack Esary, Matt Edwards, Board Camp Baptist Church Deacons, and Board Camp Rural Volunteer Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Board Camp Baptist Church Building Fund or the Board Camp Baptist Church Food Distribution, 107 Polk Road 63, Mena, Arkansas 71953.

Online Guestbook:  www.bowserffh.com

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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