Henderson, Billy Joe (Bill)

Billy Joe (Bill) Henderson of Carrollton, Texas found eternal peace and healing through Christ on Saturday August 6, 2016.

Bill was born on February 25, 1943 in Anadarko, Oklahoma to Estle and Pearl Henderson. He was the baby of the family with seven older brothers and a sister. He grew up in a little house on College Street, casually attended school and met Karen Bentley while working at the Cashway Grocery store. Bill joined the Army in 1961 and served for three years, stationed for a year in the remote mountains of Korea on a missile base. On August 14, 1964, he married Karen Bentley and the couple soon moved to Dallas, Texas.

Bill spent years working in graphic arts in the pre-press area at several printing companies prior to embarking on a career as an artist. Completely self-taught, he primarily sculpted western art and wildlife, influenced heavily by the native American culture that surrounded him in his youth. His bronze sculptures were collected and displayed throughout the Southwest in art shows and galleries. Bill’s interests were as wide and varied as his considerable artistic talent. Bill was a voracious life-long learner, fascinated by God’s creation from the microscopic to the galactic. In nearly every field or interest that captured his attention, Bill was a self-effacing expert and generous teacher. He was an avid amateur astronomer, a collector of microscopes and optics, a masterful wood turner, world-class macro and micro photographer, lapidary artist and jeweler. He could also shoot a dime with a .45 pistol. He shared his time and talents as a teacher and friend to anyone interested in his varied pursuits.

Beyond the stuff and his natural curiosity, and there was a lot of stuff and endless curiosity, Bill loved his family. He and Karen would have celebrated their 52nd anniversary just eight days after he passed away. He was great dad, and passed on a slightly off-center sense of humor to his kids and made countless sacrifices for his family. He was an especially proud Papa and Grandpa and delighted in spending time with his grandchildren. His most enduring legacy to his family occurred in 2001, after spending what he described as “his forty years in the wilderness” spiritually, when he accepted his new life in Christ. He was led to faith through his relationship with Pastor Joe Dennis and soon publicly proclaimed his faith, baptized at Webb Chapel Baptist Church. He was 58 years old at the time of his baptism; he told those in attendance that it was never too late to trust in Jesus, but urged them not to be as stubborn as he was, a great testimony to God’s patience and power to move us to a saving knowledge of Christ.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NIV.

Bill is survived by his wife Karen Bentley Henderson of Carrollton; Texas; son and daughter-in-law Shawn and Michelle Henderson of The Colony, Texas; daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and John Greenlee of Osceola, Indiana; granddaughters Abby and Avery Henderson of The Colony, Texas; grandson Davis Greenlee of Osceola, Indiana, granddaughter Lily Greenlee of Osceola, Indiana; sister Velma Price of Binger, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Norma Henderson of Lawton, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Betty Henderson of Melissa, Texas; sister-in-law Phylla Henderson of Anadarko, Oklahoma; brother Doyle Henderson of Pleasanton, Texas; brother and sister-in-law Lonnie and Hazel Henderson of Anadarko, Oklahoma and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to count. Bill was preceded in death by his grandson John Greenlee, brother Marvin Henderson, brother and sister-in-law Harold and Jean Henderson, brother J.C. Henderson, brother Dee Henderson, brother Bud Henderson, sister-in-law Elaine Henderson, his father Lora Estle Henderson and mother Pearl Ellen Henderson.

Visitation for friends and family will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Brooks Family Chapel of the North Dallas Funeral Home, 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life and homecoming will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at The Ridge Church, 4561 North Josey Lane, Carrollton, Texas.

Graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12 , 2016 at the Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that you would consider a donation to Metro Relief, a local ministry to the homeless and underprivileged at www.metrorelief.org

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