Bentley T. Hall

Bentley Thurman Hall was born on April 15, 1941, in Mineola, Texas, to William "Bud" Hall and Hannah (Turner) Hall. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, July 28, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 85.

Bentley spent his childhood in Orange, Texas, where his lifelong love of horses first took root. As a young boy attending Anderson Elementary School, he was known to ride his horse to school-often barefoot. Before he was old enough to drive, his horse served as his primary mode of transportation, and it wasn't uncommon for him to ride from home to the local rodeo arena. Those early adventures reflected a passion that would remain with him throughout his life.

Bentley attended Stark High School, where he played football and participated in a variety of extracurricular activities before graduating in 1959. He then attended Sam Houston State University, earning a degree in education. Although he quickly realized that teaching was not his calling, he discovered a talent for sales and eventually began a long career with Employers Insurance of Texas.

While insurance was his profession, horses were his passion. Bentley spent many years involved in Western Pleasure before discovering his love for cutting horses. The horse industry became much more than a hobby-it became a lifelong community that brought him friendships, purpose, and countless memories.

In 1965, Bentley's mother came home from the beauty shop and told him she had met a young lady named Marilyn and had arranged a blind date. At the end of that very first date, Bentley confidently told Marilyn that he was going to marry her. True to his word, just six months later, on April 13, 1966, they were married.

Bentley and Marilyn began their life together in Orange before moving to Nederland, Texas, in 1969. They welcomed their daughter, Jennifer Paige, in 1972, followed by their son, Bentley Tyler, in 1979. In 1984, Bentley was transferred to the Fort Worth office of Employers Insurance, prompting the family to move to Joshua, Texas, where they built a home and many lasting memories.

Following his retirement from Employers Insurance, Bentley found a way to combine work with the passion he had carried since childhood. He joined Priefert, selling and installing horse walkers throughout the United States. His work allowed him to travel the country, meet fellow horse enthusiasts, and continue doing what he loved most. Retirement never slowed him down-it simply gave him more opportunities to spend time around horses.

In December 2003, Bentley experienced the loss of Marilyn after nearly 38 years of marriage. In the years that followed, life brought new chapters of companionship. He shared many happy years with Chris Shivers, a classmate from Stark High School. In 2014, Bentley met Claudette Hicks at a horse show, and the two married in 2015. Together they made their home on a ranch in Fairfield, Texas, where they enjoyed country life and the horses they both loved until Claudette's passing in 2020. Later, Bentley reconnected with another Stark High School classmate, Norma Godwin. Their friendship and companionship brought happiness to his later years, and they remained together until his passing.

As the years passed, Bentley's family continued to grow with the addition of his daughter-in-law, Ashley Hall, son-in-law, Sam Coward, and six grandchildren: Jackson Bentley Coward, Jamison Lucky Coward, Charlotte Elaine Hall, Marilyn Lee "Maylee" Hall, Bentley Thomas Hall, and Case Aaron Coward. To his grandchildren, he was affectionately known as "Papaw," a nickname that eventually became simply "Pap."

Bentley will be remembered as a man whose life was shaped by horses. From the barefoot boy riding to Anderson Elementary School, to competing in the show pen, to traveling the country installing horse walkers after retirement, horses remained the common thread throughout his life. They introduced him to lifelong friends, carried him through every season of life, and brought him immeasurable joy.

Bentley is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Coward and husband, Sam Coward; his son, Bentley Tyler Hall and wife, Ashley Hall; his grandchildren, Jackson Bentley Messer, Jamison Lucky Messer, Charlotte Elaine Hall, Marilyn Lee "Maylee" Hall, Bentley Thomas Hall, and Case Aaron Coward; his beloved companion, Norma Godwin; and numerous extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William "Bud" Hall and Hannah Hall; his wife of nearly 38 years, Marilyn Hall; and his wife, Claudette Hicks Hall.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has offered love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. Bentley's memory will live on through the stories shared by those who knew him, the family he loved, and the horses that were never far from his heart.