Wilbur Clyde Gentry

Wilbur Clyde Gentry of Decatur, Alabama, passed away on September 7, 2021, at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his parents Clyde L Gentry and Nettie Lou Arnold Gentry, as well as his brothers and sisters, Lillian Louise Gentry, John Frank Gentry, Marguerite Gentry Busbee and Herschel Arnold Gentry.

Born October 1, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, Wilbur proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years, followed by an additional four years in the United States Army Reserves. A veteran of the Korean War, he was awarded the National Defense Medal as well as the Good Conduct Medal. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Wilbur accepted a position at Procter and Gamble/ADM, where he worked for over forty years before retiring.

Wilbur was a faithful follower of Jesus and in 1955, he helped start Bethesda Baptist Church of Macon in the living room of his home. He was also a former member of Mabel White Baptist Church of Macon where he gave of his time serving faithfully as a deacon, singing in the choir, and where he had been a member of the J.C. Johnson Sunday School class. After relocating to Decatur, Alabama, he became a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur.

An avid outdoorsman and farmer, Wilbur raised cattle on his farm and grew crops at his home in Lizella. He was a talented golfer and never missed an opportunity to play or to give unsolicited golf lessons to his golf partners. He managed to make countless hole-in-ones in his lifetime and made sure to brag to friends and family about each and every one of them. Outside of golf, Wilbur enjoyed watching and attending Georgia Bulldog football games and Atlanta Braves baseball where he could be found doing what he called the “Tommy-Hawk Chop.”

Most importantly, he loved the Lord first and foremost, followed by his wife, Ardieth, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ardieth Gentry of Decatur, sons Rev. Michael Gentry (JoAnn) of Decatur, Rev. Mark Gentry (Cindy) of Savannah. 5 grandchildren: Sean Goss (Wendy), Beau Goss (Kasey), Ryan Goss (Cheryl), Lindsey Hilton(John), LT. Jonathan Gentry, US Navy (Rachel). 11 great grandchildren with 1 more due in October; and numerous niece and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 12, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, Mr. Gentry will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery. For friends and family unable to attend, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Wilbur Clyde Gentry to Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, Attn: Ministry Development, 2681 Rocky Ridge Lane, Birmingham, Alabama, 35216 or online at www.alabamachild.org.

Learn more about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at www.mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.