Walter Harold Henson Jr.

Walter H. Henson, 96, died December 8, 2016. Visitation will be from 12:30-2:30 pm on Monday, December 12, 2016 at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland. Services are at 2:30 pm on Monday, December 12, at the funeral home, with burial to follow in Jessamine Cemetery, Ridgeland, MS.

A native of Drew, MS, Mr. Henson had lived in the Jackson/Ridgeland area most of his life. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Air Force as a P-40 and P-47 pilot. He saw action in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He was released from the service with rank of Major at the end of the war.

He returned to Jackson and worked in Display, Advertising and Commercial Art until he retired in 1990. He was active in a number of civic clubs and his church.

He is survived by daughters Sandra Henson Pickering and her husband Dr. John Pickering of Baton Rouge, LA, and Patti Ross Henson of Jackson, MS, sister Celeste Bedwell of Bowie, MD and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Georgena (Gena) Ross Henson, parents Claudine Kinsey Henson and Walter H. Henson, Sr., brothers William K. Henson, and Robert C. Henson.

The family requests memorial be made to First Baptist Church, Jackson, or a charity of your choice.