Max James Hensley

His father worked for Sinclair Oil Company and they moved around a lot as he was growing up. He graduated from high school in Seminole, Oklahoma, so he considered Seminole his home town.

One of eight children, Max was born to Marion Hensley and Cleo George Hensley, the third-oldest child. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings, including sisters Minnie James, Mildred Highfill, Mary Ann Sherrard, and Eva Mae Ferguson, and brothers Keeton Hensley, Eugene Hensley, and Sidney Hensley.

Following high school, Max began working on the construction of Tinker Air Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He began working for Phillips Petroleum Company in 1942, working mostly in Odessa, Texas. In 1969 he married Phyllis Walker and they began their lives together by moving to South America as he continued his career with Phillips Petroleum until his retirement in 1983. This career led him to call some adventuresome locales his home, including: Oklahoma, West Texas, Santos, Brazil, Kenai, Alaska, Morichal and Maracaibo, Venezuela.

As an avid traveler, while working for 14 years in South America, he and Phyllis traveled around Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean islands. After retirement, they settled in Burnet, Texas, but continued to travel by journeying to the Hawaiian Islands, Canada, and Europe, where they visited England, Wales, Scotland, Spain and France. He spent many years working in his shop and enjoying fishing, gardening, and other hill country pastimes.

Max is survived by his wife, Phyllis Walker Hensley, and five children, Jerry Hensley and Joe Hensley and wife Marla of Odessa, Mark Phillips and wife Daralyn of Waco, Cheryl Kensing and husband Herb of Hurst, and Kent Simmons and wife Dianna of Kingwood. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. In addition to his sisters and brothers, he was preceded in death by two grandsons, Randy Hensley and Cory Hensley, and daughter-in-law, Sandy Hensley.

A visitation for Max will be held Thursday, March 31, 2011, from 6 until 7pm at the Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet. The funeral service will be held Friday, April 1 at 3pm at the Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home with Reverend Barry Drake officiating. Interment will follow at the Post Mountain Cemetery in Burnet.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Burnet or to a charity of choice. For those who desire condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.clementswilcoxburnet.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home Burnet, Texas.