William "Sonney" McKinley Gentry, Jr.

Mr. William “Sonney” McKinley Gentry, Jr., age 92, of Murray, Kentucky entered Heaven on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Mr. Gentry was born in Nashville, Tennessee on July 15, 1932 to the late William McKinley Gentry, Sr. and Lena Bell (Faulk) Gentry. Mr. Gentry was the assistant manager at Storey’s grocery store, was the manager at Black’s Decorating, and later retired as the owner and operator of Gentry Painting. He was a charter member of the Westside Baptist Church in Murray and was an Airforce veteran of the Korean War.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Gentry was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Sue (Armstrong) Gentry, who passed away on October 22, 2021; one daughter, Christina Ann Gentry; two sisters, Julia Gentry and Violet Watkins; half-sister, Marie Adamson; and three brothers, Charles Gentry, David Gentry, and Thomas Gentry.

Mr. Gentry is survived by two daughters, Gina Shockey and husband Jr of Olive Hill, Kentucky and Gwen Provine and husband David of Hazel, Kentucky; one son, Jimmy Gentry of Murray, Kentucky; one sister, Beatrice Doster and husband Jesse of Sharon, Tennessee; three brothers, Robert Gentry and wife Judith of Kenner, Louisiana, Glenn Gentry and wife Linda of Prattville, Alabama and Arvil Gentry and wife Pat of Columbia, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Abigail Shockey of Tucson, Arizona, Brian Provine and wife Kristy of Hazel, Kentucky, Chris Provine of Hazel, Kentucky, Shawna Shockey of North Carolina, and Christy Shockey of Ohio; as well as six great grandchildren, Bailey, Karlyn, and Preston Provine all of Hazel, Kentucky, Aleeya Runyon of Ohio, Kaylee Bates of Morehead, Kentucky, and Reiden Collier of North Carolina.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Rev. Glynn Orr will officiate, and burial will follow in the South Pleasant Grove Cemetery with full military honors provided by the American Legion Post # 73.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to Watch Inc., 702 Main Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071.

Online condolences can be made at www.jhchurchill.com