James "Jim" William Betley

James “Jim” William Betley, age 77, of Bear, DE, passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Jim, along with his cousin Arthur W. Carter, owned and operated County Insulation Company of New Castle since 1969. Despite Arthur’s untimely death in 1992, Jim kept the business going and growing, adding different entities along the way as he saw they were need. Today, the company is known as County Group of Companies. Jim was an active member of the local branch of the Associates Builders and Contractors (ABC), the National Demolition Association, Air Barriers Associates of America (AABA), the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and the National Insulation Association (NIA). He was also proud to be a 3-year veteran of the United States Army.

After his family, Jim’s biggest passion was surfing. His favorite time of the year was Fall as it is hurricane season and he enjoyed tracking storm activity coming up the coast from the Caribbean. Like a kid at Christmas, he would get so excited about the big waves coming. It was the only time that he would take off work. Jim traveled to Hawaii to surf as well as the many islands in the Caribbean. He especially fell in love with Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. He enjoyed surfing in the warm, tropical waves. When he couldn’t go surfing in the ocean, he would paddleboard in local ponds to somewhat satisfy his passion. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and uncle to many, many nieces and nephews as well as a fair and kind boss to over 100 loyal and dedicated employees. He will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Jim was one of ten children born to the late John F. and Alice Marie Betley. He is also preceded in death by his brothers, John F. Betley (Jean), Joseph Betley (Regina), Francis Betley (Lydia), and his sister, Joan Williamson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 54 years: Mary Jean “Mac” Betley; his children: Jennifer Allison Bailey and Keith Stewart Betley (girlfriend: Casey Johnson); grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Phelan Axl Declan Betley; siblings: Marie Seymour of Hanover, PA, Thomas Betley (Jane), William Betley (Sandra), Kathleen Elliot (the late Joel Elliot), and Margaret Betley (Greg Weber) of Arizona; and his goddaughter: Krystle Gonzales (Nguyen).

Jim’s family would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped them through the past 14 months. Nelson Constanza is the first and most important person to thank. We don’t know how we would have made it without you. Also, Cynthia Martinez and Bonnie Twardus and the staff at Rockland Place - especially Nurse Ayana and Tracy.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm at Beeson Funeral Home. Interment will be private in October at Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family suggests donations in his name to The Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org or Surfriders – Ocean City Chapter at P.O. Box 3342, Ocean City, MD 21843.

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