THOMAS BENTLY CONWAY

Thomas Bently Conway passed away peacefully on February 28, 2024 at the age of 91. A native of Oroville, CA, he was born December 9, 1932 to Thomas Norman and Evelyn Frances (Edwards) Conway.

After graduating from Oroville High School in 1950, he worked for Cal-Tex Construction Company. While working on the construction of Stegeman Rice Dryer in Princeton, CA, he met his future wife, Edna Rae Keeran, of Princeton. They were married August 10, 1952 in Reno, Nevada and established their home in Thermalito, CA. They were married 52 years at the time of Edna’s passing in 2004.

Bently served two years in the U.S. Army as a medical aidman in Germany during the Korean War. Upon his discharge in 1955, he worked at an olive oil processing plant in Oroville, as a bus driver for the Thermalito School District, and delivery driver for Crystal Dairy and American Bakeries. In the early 1970’s Bently and Edna co-owned Conway’s North State Cycle in Oroville.

Bently was a founding member of the Golden Feather Model A Club of Oroville. He and Edna participated in many parades and events over the years with their 1931 Ford pickup and 1931 Model A Deluxe Roadster. He was a member of the American Motorcycle Association and BSA Owners’ Club of Northern California. He was an avid enthusiast and collector of antique British motorcycles. He enjoyed attending and participating in motorcycle shows, racing events, and swap meets. He was known to many as BSA Bently. He volunteered his help at Cycleland Speedway and supported his son and daughter in their flat track, motocross, and Odyssey racing pursuits. Bently set several speed records with his Kawasaki motorcycles in the 1970’s at Bonneville Salt Flats.

In addition to his motorcycle interests, Bently also enjoyed gardening and hosting backyard parties. He was a life long fan of the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants.

Bently is survived by his son Tom (Jan) Conway of Princeton, CA, daughter Cathy (Phil) Stanz of Brentwood, CA, sister Norma (Joe) Hottinger of Oroville, brothers Donald Conway of Oroville and Ronald (Deborah) Conway of Carencro, LA, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Edna, he was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Evelyn, and sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Charles Baker, all of Oroville.

At Bently’s request, no services will be held. Donations may be made in his memory to a charity of your choice.