Bill W. Gentry

Published 10:44 am Tuesday, February 4, 2025

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Bill W. Gentry was born in Damascus, Va., in 1943. His life began on a farm where he grew up loving the land and the animals they raised. His love for farming and growing gardens came from these early roots. He went to trade school after the Army and became a brilliant machinist. He went on to begin his own business, General Machine & Tool Co., Inc., for 55 years. He made wonderful memories for his children and their mother in his earlier life by traveling extensively with them all over the country. After selling his business, he took great joy in growing lots and lots (like 500-600) tomato plants to give to friends and family. His love for family was great and he cherished those around him. There wasn’t a stranger he ever met, to know him was to love him!

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Comora Tolliver (Britt); son, Billy Gentry; Bill’s wife, Danielle Nave Gentry; sister, Esther Land; nieces, Sabrina Land and Melissa Adams McKinney (Clay); nephew, Hunter Land Jr.; and several great-nephews and great-nieces.

Bill was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roy and Edith Gentry; his sister, Betty Adams (Glenn); and brother-in-law, Hunter Land Sr.

A service to celebrate the life of Bill Gentry will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 8, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Rev. Ray Amos and Rev. Robert Countless officiating. A graveside service will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus, Va., at 3 p.m. Saturday. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 10:50 a.m. Saturday and also at the cemetery at 2:50 p.m. Saturday, will be Hunter Land, Bobby Shelton, Austin Goodwin, Leon Caufell, Mike Triplett, Britton Tolliver and Dustin Buckles. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Hand, Kelly Crosswhite, Allan Goodwin, Tom Musick, Ken Barickman, Tim Brown, David Sharp, Alvin Peoples, Billy Gentry, Keith Robinson, Wess Nave, Jim Jones, Bernie Lewis, Logan Lewis, John Yokahm, Dan Nave, Ken Pierce, Larry Grindstaff, John Garrett and John Allan. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Saturday. Family and friends will assemble at the cemetery at 2:50 p.m. Saturday. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Gentry family.