William Grady Hendon

William G. “Bill” Hendon was reunited with his beloved Lucy on Friday, April 12, 2013. Funeral Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Monday at Collier-Butler Funeral Chapel. Rev. Frank Samuels will officiate with burial at Forrest Cemetery with military honors.

Bill was born October 25, 1925, one of eleven children to Luther and Pauline Hendon. He attended Gadsden High School until he left to serve his country in the Army Air Corp. He was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 in the 303nd Bomb Group and was stationed with 357th Squadron in Molesworth, England. He flew 32 mission over Germany in Hell’s Angel’s earning 3 Gold Stars. They were briefed after one of their missions and told they had just witnessed the first German Jet Fighter.

Upon his return from the war he married Mary Lucille Machen in 1948 and they remained sweethearts for 65 years until her death on March 11, 2013. In 1956 he partnered to establish Service Auto Parts where he later became sole proprietor at which time, he incorporated, and continued as a successful business owner until his retirement in 1994. Through his association with the industry he and Lucy were able to travel all over the world. His later years were spent as the devoted caregiver to his beloved wife.

Bill was a member of the American Legion, VFW and faithful member of College Heights Baptist Church, serving as Usher, Deacon, Sunday School Director and Pastor Search Committees. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lucille, infant sons, William Michael, 1954 and Mark Leslie 1958 and William Barry; parents Luther and Pauline Hendon, mother-in-law, Mae Belle Machen, sisters, Eloise (H.L.) Piltcher, Catherine Wood, Elaine Hendon, Regina (Bill) Blackwell, brothers, Charles Roy and Bobby Ray, brother-in-law, Delwyn Borgersrode, sister-in-law, Fannie (Robert) Adcock.

Left to cherish his legacy are daughter-in-law, Robin (Terry) Ford, granddaughter, Heather (Andrew) Carlisle, grandsons, Andrew (Alanna) Hendon, Zachary (Laura) Hendon, William Tyler Hendon, great grandsons, Gideon Parker and Silas Henry Hendon, sisters, Betty Borgersrode, Gail Scarber and Linda Owens, brother, Eddie (Louise) Hendon and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Andrew, Zachary and Tyler Hendon, Andrew Carlisle, Bert Cothran and Jim Runner.

Honorary Pallbearers are past employees of Service Auto Parts Inc., The John Grambling Sunday School Class, Deacons and members of College Heights Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of service Monday at the funeral home.