William Clifton "Bill" Gentry Obituary (1927 - 2017)

TRIBUNE - William "Bill" Clifton Gentry, 90, passed away Friday, December 29th, 2017 at Greeley County Hospital, Tribune, KS. He was born July 19, 1927 in Scott City, KS to Oren Johnston and Vivian Marcella (Ford) Gentry. Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1945. He married Mary Louise Lindblade on August 19, 1945 in Chicago, IL. Following a honeymoon in Des Moines, IA, he and his father worked together at Stateline Oil. After selling the business Bill and Mary moved to Hutchinson to build houses with his future brother-in-laws Stan Hofer and Lloyd McAdams. Later they moved back to Tribune going into business with his brother Bob, raising chickens and delivering the eggs to Safeway grocery in Denver twice a week until 1959. Bill began working at the Tribune COOP in 1959 delivering propane to farmers and local businesses. Bill was one of the first EMTs in Greeley County when they started the ambulance service in 1975. Bill was a member of VFW Post #7521, the Melvin Kuder Senior Center and a member of the Horace Masonic Lodge Post #352. He enjoyed playing bingo and pool and during his retirement he and Mary enjoyed spending winters in Texas. He is survived by his daughters; Mary Ellen Baker of Norman, OK, and Connie Jo Brandl of Tribune, KS; a son, Barkley Gentry and wife Diane of Tribune, KS; grandchildren, Jenny Pate of Norman, OK, Jason Baker of Houston, TX, Jeremy Baker of Edmond, OK, Buddy Brandl of Tribune, KS, Matt Brandl of Tribune, KS, Alex Gentry of Medicine Lodge, KS, and Mason Gentry of Hays, KS; great grandchildren, Vera Pate of Noman, OK, Kayla Baker of Houston, TX, Mckenzie Snelson of Oklahoma City, OK, Nathan Snelson of San Diego, CA, Jailyn Brandl of Tribune,KS, Haidyn Brandl of Tribune, KS, Hannah Brandl of Tribune, KS, Mattie Brandl of Tribune, KS, and Jaxson Brandl of Tribune, KS; a sister, Ruth Sawyer of Willows, CA. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Mary Gentry; sisters, Helen Mallory and Carol Houston; and a brother, Bob Gentry. A graveside service will be held 2:00pm Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at the Greeley County Cemetery, Tribune, Kansas. Cremation has taken place. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the VFW Post #7521, Tribune, KS. To send flowers to the family of William Clifton "Bill" Gentry, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.