Dempsey R. Bethea, age 86, of Wrightstown passed away suddenly Tuesday, August 15 at Deborah Hospital in Browns Mills. Born in Dillon, SC, he was a longtime resident of Wrightstown. Dempsey was raised in Dillon, SC and was a member of the Bethel Hill AME Church there. He retired from the US Army in 1973 after 22 years of service with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He received many awards and decorations during his military career, including the Bronze Star Medal in 1969. After his military retirement he worked as a counselor at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Yardville and also worked as a manager at Fort Dix. Dempsey is predeceased by his parents, Oscar D. and Ida Mae Bethea and his sisters, Blanche Bethea, Lucille Green, Lillian Blye and Hanna Cobbs. He is survived by his loving wife, Supanee Bethea; a son, Rickey McLaughlin and wife Rose of Kingstree, SC; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Dempsey will be held on Tuesday, August 22 at 11:30 AM at the Tilghman Funeral Home, 52 Main Street, New Egypt, NJ 08533 (www.TilghmanFH.com), burial with full military honors to follow at the BGWCD Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown. Calling hours will be on Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the funeral home.