Express & Star

Former Walsall mayor dies aged 93

A former Mayor of Walsall and long-serving councillor has died aged 93.

Published

Arthur Bentley represented the Willenhall North ward between 1982 and 2007.

The former member of the Royal Navy was first citizen of the borough in 2003/04.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Bentley.

Willenhall councillor and Liberal Democrats group leader Ian Shires first met him in 1976.

"We spent many happy hours over the years discussing politics, listening to his stories about the sea as we went around Willenhall North delivering our Focus Newsletters," he said.

"Arthur was first elected in May 1982 as Liberal Democrat councillor for Willenhall North a seat he held until his retirement in May 2007.

"He became Walsall's first Liberal Democrat Mayor in 2003 and was the instigator of the annual Dora Awards to recognise all the good work that is done by ordinary folk across the Borough in their local communities.

"Arthur had a life time of public service beginning with Walsall's famous "blue buses" back in the days when council's ran their own bus services. During the Second World War Arthur served in the Royal Navy.

"In total over 60 years of public service. My condolences go to his two daughters Jan and Stephanie and their families."

Mr Bentley died last month. His funeral will be held at Streetly Crematorium, Little Hardwick Road, Walsall, on February 17 at 12.45pm.

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