Obituary

William A. Henderson aka Bill, was born May 22, 1920 to

William Henderson and Mary R. Ware in Montgomery, Alabama. William had one brother, Frank Toomer and one sister, Katherine Blake, both of whom along with their parents preceded him in death.

William completed eight years of education and went on to join the United States Army on March 3, 1942, where he served as a truck driver and rifleman, till his separation and honorable discharge on March 9, 1946 due to sustaining an injury while on duty. William was a part of the 92^nd Infantry Division also known as the famous " Buffalo Soldiers," a division consisting of mostly all black soldiers from southern states. William received a recommendation for the Purple Heart at the time of separation, however he never received his commendation. However, later in life William met a very special friend. Dr. William Stein, whose unstoppable pursuit led to a formal acknowledgement and ceremony where he was finally and rightfully awarded the "Bronze Star" on November 11, 2001.

After separation from the army, William later was employed at Chrysler Corporation and later Ford Motor Company, where he retired in 1983 after 30 years of service.

On December 23,1948 at the age of 27, William married his sweetheart and wife of 59 years, Ella Louise Scales. During their union they enjoyed the trials and tribulations that came with raising eight beautiful children. William and Ella met with life's usual ups and downs, yet through it all they remained strong, dedicated and each other's best friends till God called him home. William and Ella had an old-school love, a love built on trust and teamwork, together they weathered storms, fought the good fights and enjoyed a life filled with more joy, happiness and love than most people ever know.

William was a strong proud man, he was a provider. He was known as an encyclopedia of knowledge; he had stories that could fill hours and days. He was also known as a living map. Wherever you wanted to go, he would get you there. However, he was most famously known for his "gigets and gadgets." Whatever the challenge if you gave him a minute he would give you an answer, a giget or a gadget. His name should be recorded with the famous saying "the house that jack built", 'cause we're sure he could have built a house with his wires, nails, bolts, tubes and whatever else he could find. There weren't many things he didn't have a use for. Whatever William put together only God could put asunder.

William had a funny side too; he often enjoyed telling all types of jokes and stories, some appropriate and some inappropriate, you could always count on him for a smile and a laugh. As his days grew near, William told one last story to every one who visited," Well on May 22, I’ll be 88 years old and I'll be done. He told us that he knew his time had come and he was truly ready, and in his famous words... "ain't nothing."

William joins his eldest son, Nathaniel in Heaven and leaves to cherish and celebrate his memory: his wife, Ella Henderson; his children. Rose, William Jr. aka Junnie (Yvonne), Wesley, Katherine (Gerald), Teresa, Frankie (Edith) and Elaina (Edward); his grandchildren, Etta (his favorite, who kept him laughing to the end), Trella, Gerri, Malik (his special care-giver), Joel, Kaiya, Micheal, Mooreese, Danielle, Deja, Justice, Keenan, Nathaniel Jr., Sharmese, David, Dana and Dawn;

along with a host of great grandchildren, friends and neighbors.... William was a people person and there truly wasn't a friend he didn't meet.