BENTELY LOYD SANDERS, 74, a longtime Skagit Valley resident, passed away on Thursday January 6, 2005 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
He was born on February 16, 1930 in Franklin, North Carolina, the son of Richard & Anna Hodgins Sanders. He was raised and attended school in North Carolina.
He was united in marriage to Gladys Irene Tallent in Clayton, Georgia on December 14, 1945 and they made their home in Georgia and Franklin, North Carolina until moving to Lyman, Washington in 1954.
Bentely spent many years in the timber industry around Skagit County working for several logging companies as a tree faller and as a heavy equipment operator building roads and landings.
He was an avid fisherman, fishing in lakes and streams in Skagit County; he also enjoyed traveling and spending time with his numerous grand and great-grandchildren.
Bentely was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys in 1992, his parents, Richard & Anna and a brother, Nelce.
He is survived by six children and their spouses, Curtis & Kathleen Sanders of Tigard, OR, Dennis Sanders of Sedro-Woolley, WA, Gene Sanders of Duvall, WA, Ronnie & Cathy Sanders of Lyman, WA, Venus Sanders of Olympia, WA, and Tracy & Richard Reece of Dallas, GA. Two brothers, Talvern & Hoyt Sanders of Clarksville, GA and two sisters, Delores Sutton of Hamilton, WA, and Maggie Hancox of Centerville, GA. Also 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Skagit Valley Hospital and Skagit Hospice for the special care provided to Bentely during his final days.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation, MS/S-200 P.O. Box 50020, Seattle, WA 98145.
Graveside services will be held at the Hamilton Cemetery on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 2:00 PM with Pastor Ron Schenk of the Lyman Baptist Church officiating. Visitation available at and services under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.