James H. Bentley, 71, of West Jefferson, who served as the North Wilkesboro town manager from December 1995 to August 1998, died Monday afternoon, Dec. 29, at Ashe Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. Mr. Bentley was born April 25, 1937. He worked as a highway inspector for the N.C. Department of Transportation for 32 years before his retirement. He also operated an income tax preparation business in North Wilkesboro for 30 years. Mr. Bentley was a member of the National Guard for 28 years, retiring as a first sergeant. Funeral services will be Saturday, 2 p.m., at Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson with Rev. Jeff Dollar, Rev. Rick Miller and Speaker JD Davis officiating. Burial will follow at the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Jefferson, with military rites. The family will be at the funeral home from 12:30 until 2 Saturday afternoon prior to the service. He was preceded in death by a son, William Dean Bentley. Mr. Bentley is survived by his wife, Elaine Severt Bentley; one son, Lee Bentley and wife Ginger, of Wilkesboro; two daughters, Bonnie Bentley of North Wilkesboro and Rebecca Bentley Smith and husband Capt. Paul, of Eagle Mountain, Utah; two brothers, Bill Bentley of North Wilkesboro and Charles Dean Bentley of Boone; one stepson, Chad Sheets of West Jefferson; two stepdaughters, Cara Johnson and husband Michael, of Wilkesboro and Camara Sheets of Wilkesboro; and five grandchildren. Memorials may be made to: Ebenezer Children's Home, 1006 Byrd Ridge Road, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659; Ashe Really Cares, P.O. Box 850, Jefferson, N.C. 28640; or Gideon's, PO. Box 993, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694.