W. Renley Bustle

W. Renley Bustle passed away at Archbold Memorial Hospital at the age of 85 on Sunday, Dec 17, 2023. He was devoted to his children, grandchildren, wife of 56 years, and many lifelong friends. Born March 16, 1938, he was the son of William Estus Bustle and Mary Lesta Hart Bustle. Though he had two biological parents, his aunts (Daisy Clark, Ruby Hardy) and his childhood neighbors (the Whaley Family: Bill, Johnny Gus, Rosa, Jewel, Sarah, and Everdine), contributed to his raising. Renley, along with his wife Barbara, cared for them until their deaths. Renley graduated Coolidge High School, attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and graduated from The University of Georgia. While in college, he regularly traveled home on the weekends to work on the family farm. Following graduation, he returned to Coolidge to farm full-time. He married his wife, Barbara Hutchinson Bustle, in 1967. He passed his knowledge of farming row crops along to his sons, Bryan and Tab, who started working by his side as soon as their feet could reach the pedals. Renley was awarded Thomas County Farmer of the year on multiple occasions. With his sons working alongside him, they established RBT Farms - the family farm that is still in operation today. In recent years, Renley’s grandson, Tyler Bustle, joined RBT Farms, establishing a multi-generational legacy.

Renley enjoyed his daily trips to town to retrieve parts and visit with the shop owners. He stopped at any yard sale or flea market along the way and occasionally returned with a new dent in his truck. Growing up, Renley loved and spent most days outdoors. He instilled this same adoration of nature in his children and grandchildren, teaching them how to hunt and fish. Renley knew the coastal waters between Hagen’s Cove and Aucilla River like none other. His greatest days were spent fishing with his family. If you were fortunate enough to fish with him, you know he would spend all day looking for your ‘big’ fish. He was a devoted member of Nutall Rise Fishing Club. Renley was a humble man, always willing to help those in his community. However, he didn’t mind basking in any accomplishment of his grandchildren - he loved sharing stories of them catching fish bigger than his, winning a race or competition, killing a prize deer, or making good grades. He could always be found eating breakfast and solving the world’s problems with his Coolidge Food Champ breakfast friends.

Renley was preceded in death by his parents, Estus Bustle and Lesta Bustle; his special aunts Daisy Clark and Ruby Hardy; the Whaley family; and many lifelong friends that he missed dearly. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son and daughter-in-law Bryan and Tonya Bustle, son and daughter-in-law Tab and Maria Bustle, daughter and son-in-law Ceci and Alan Dennard; grandchildren Tyler and his wife Morgan, and Abbie Bustle, Samantha and Mallory Bustle, and Cason, Bowen and Holten Dennard; and a host of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by devoted employees, Jason Norman and Bartolo Cleto, as well as many special friends.

The family will receive friends and family for fellowship and visitation at the Coolidge Baptist Church Fellowship Hall from 2:00-3:30 pm on Thursday, December 21, 2023, with graveside services following at 4:00 pm at Enon Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to Enon Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 504, Coolidge, GA 31738, or to the charity of your choice in his memory.