Wilma Fay Henry

Wilma was born in Slaton, TX, on April 30, 1928, to Luther and Elsie Faulkner. She was the youngest of four children. She attended school in Slaton, where she graduated from Slaton High School in 1946. She was a four-year member of the Sub Deb Club and also volunteered serving troops that passed through Slaton on trains during World War II.

Wilma married John William Henry III on November 20,1948, in Slaton. Shortly after they married, they moved to Austin and started their family and careers. She was a dedicated mother to Cheryl Kay and John Richard (Rick).

John and Wilma were members of Congress Avenue Baptist Church, where they both taught Sunday school and attended as a family. Later, Wilma attended Riverbend Church and participated in bible study there, before moving to Spring. The family has many great memories of attending Christmas service with her at Riverbend, followed by an early dinner (and margaritas) at Tres Amigos.

Wilma worked retail at Scarbroughs Department Store in Austin before starting her career with the federal government. She worked for the Economic Development Administration for many years before her retirement in 1981. After retirement, Wilma cared for her mother-in-law, Thelma Henry, until her death.

Wilma and John enjoyed traveling, dancing, and attending Super Bowl parties with friends and co-workers. Wilma enjoyed playing card games and was a fierce domino player. After John’s death in 1989, she continued to travel and spend time with her family, friends, and especially her beloved grandchildren, Darby, Shelby, and Casey.

A few years after John’s death, Wilma enjoyed spending time with a dear friend, Marvin (Hagy) Hagemeier. Wilma and Hagy liked to travel, go out with friends, and attend Aggie football games. Hagy was loved by Wilma’s family and circle of friends until his death in 2008.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and dear friend, Hagy, as well as her siblings and their spouses, Dorothy Howell (Lester), Doris Hendrix (Travis), and Luther Faulkner (Jean). Also preceding her in death were her in-laws, Deacon and Thelma Henry, Connie Locke (John) and Pam Fries (Jim).

She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Cheryl and Robert Young, Rick and Velma Henry, and a legacy of love through her grandchildren, Darby (Angie) Young, Shelby (Nathan) Polansky, and Casey (Kelsey) Henry, and great-grandchildren, Jordan Jackson, Avery Jackson, David Polansky, Nicholas Polansky, Mackenzie Young, Wesley Young, Kaelyn Henry, and Cooper Henry. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, Don, Carolyn, Jimmie, Judy, Travis, Terry, Cynthia, Susan, Debbie, Mark, David, Cindy, and Melissa.

The Young and Henry families would like to thank Carly and Alena of Beyond Hospice as well as Norma and the staff at Village Green Memory Care Community for the love and care they shared with mom.

A celebration of life ceremony will take place on Monday, November 4, 2024, at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749. The Viewing/Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m, the Celebration of Life ceremony from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m, and lastly the Interment at 12:00 p.m.