Willis B. Henderson

Chief Master Sergeant (USAF Ret) Willis B. (Bill) Henderson passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at the age of 87. Bill was born in Flomaton, Alabama to Doss and Maggie Henderson July 29, 1934. He grew up on a farm and attended a small-town school.

At the age of 17, he joined the Navy where he attained the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer and was Postmaster of one of the three largest Fleet Post Offices in the Pacific at the age of 22. In June 1958, Bill switched to the Air Force and began his career all over again. He served in Strategic Air Command, Air Force Communications Command, and United States Air Force Europe. While stationed in Itazuke Air Base in Japan, he was instrumental in establishing the first Automated Fast Reaction Command Post Communications System in the Pacific, for which he received his first Air Force Commendation Medal. Upon his time stationed in France he wrote procedures and trained personnel for the first United States Air Force Command Post Communications Teams to be operational in Europe, including EC-135 aircraft safety procedures. These became the standards for airborne command posts throughout the Air Force. Later while stationed in England, he was assigned as Chief, Standardization/Evaluation Teletype/Crypto for Europe. Bill chose to end his flying career in 1971 when he returned from Viet Nam where he was Chief, Communications Operations, 1880th Communications Squadron. While in Viet Nam He was also crew member on C-47 Aircraft. Bill was Superintendent of Communications Operations 46th Communications Squadron, Superintendent of Communications Operations, 1956 Communications Group. He served as Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 51st training wing. Bill attained the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in only 15 years and retired from the Air Force in January 1980.

In February he opened his own Real Estate Company but missed the Air Force environment. He was hired as Chief, Communications Operations 1953rd Communications Group in Dec. 1982. In July 1983 he was a appointed as the Director of Communications, Median Air Base. In 1987 he was promoted and moved to the Data Center, Kelly AFB, where he established the first Data Network Control Center in the Air Force. Bill retired from Civil Service in 1997 in the rank of GM13. He reestablished his Real Estate Career and became a very successful entrepreneur. Bill was well respected by his subordinates, peer and supervisors. Many high-ranking officers including Generals continued to seek his advice and counsel even after his retirement. One of the things he was most proud of was when many of his subordinates would call or write and tell him they h ad patterned their life after his or that he was their inspiration. Many contacted him long after he had retired. During his military service Bill was awarded the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, five Air Force Commendation Medals, The Air Force Unit Citation five Times with V for Valor, The Koran Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with three Battle Stars, Viet Nam Service Medal with Palm for Gallantry and Senior Air Crew Member Wings. Bill was also selected as the Air Force representative for one of the Junior Chamber of Commerces top ten Young Men In America in 1967. He believed that his best accomplishments was to have been loved by two very intelligent and beautiful women and to have had a hand in raising three children who became successful, responsible citizens.

He considered himself the luckiest man in the world. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, two daughters and one son-in-law.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

FUNERAL SERVICE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2022

9:30 A.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

Livestreaming will be available for those unable to attend. To view, please click here.

Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society of a charity of your choice.