UNION HALL — On March 5, 2018, at the age of 69, Billy “Bill” Barstow Gentry exited this earth free from illness and pain.

Born in Maryland and a longtime resident of Virginia, Bill enlisted into the Army and served three years with a tour in Vietnam.

After an honorable discharge, Bill spent the majority of his life serving the citizens of Virginia as a game warden with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries before obtaining a degree in criminal justice though Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, Virginia. He retired as a captain with the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office.

After retiring, Bill and his wife, Kay Gentry, settled in Smith Mountain Lake where he enjoyed the rest of his years fishing and spending time with his family.

Bill was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was also a Shriner.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret Gentry of Hickory North Carolina.

He is survived by his loving wife, the Rev. Kay Gentry of the Mount Tabor Methodist Church in Harrisonburg Virginia; son, Billy Sheridan Gentry; daughter in-law, Michelle Gentry; and grandson, Wyatt Gentry. Bill is also survived by his brother, Jerry Gentry of Hickory; sisters, Patsy Crump of Shelby, North Carolina; Joyce Hall of Hickory; Shirley Jones of Leesville, South Carolina.

A small service for close family and friends will be conducted at a date to be determined later.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Children’s Hospital of Colorado in the name of Wyatt James Gentry, www.childrenscoloradofoundation.org.