William Leroy Henderson

William Leroy Henderson was born on August 23, 1927, the son of Gladys M. Whittock and Leroy T. Henderson in Saint Clairsville, Ohio. He attended Saint Clairsville Schools, being particularly involved with the marching band. Not only did he play the trombone, he choreographed line formations, was a drum major, and assistant band director. Upon graduation, he was drafted into the Army Air Corp where he served as a flight controller, tower operator, and DF specialist. He used the GI Bill to attend The Ohio State University, earning his Undergraduate and graduate degrees with valuable insight from and admired professor, Dr. LE Smart. He soon married the former Irma Pogany and was blessed with the birth of their daughter, Carol. During the course of his career at Denison University in Granville, Ohio, he served as a full professor of Economics, Department Chair, and Assistant to the President (in charge of Budget and Academic Planning), and received a John E. Harris Endowed Chair. Among his numerous publications and books, he authored Urban-Economics-Processes and Problems, Economic Disparity-Problems and Strategy for Black Americans, and the Public Economy-An Introduction to Government Finance and Readings in Public Finance. While working for Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, he published a "Report of the Potential Effects if Wabash College Were to End Its Single Sex Status". He also served as Director of Planning and Development at Wabash College, raising 45 million dollars for their Capital Campaign. Retiring from Denison University as Professor Emeritus, he continued to teach at numerous Columbus Institutions plus Hong Kong, China, and Slovakia. Bill loved jazz, Big Band music, The Ohio State University athletics, participating in intellectual discussion, and was a true "sun worshipper." He participated in church and community activities including tutoring foreign students. He loved meeting for breakfast with Jim and Phil, Men's Bible Study, Columbus Clippers baseball games, and White Castle. Bill was preceded in death by Irma Henderson (Pogany) and sister Selina Henderson. He is survived by his wife Debbie Patterson, daughter Carol and son-in-law Jim Drake; grandchildren Emily, Kaily, William Peyton, and many, many friends, colleagues, and former students. He is greatly missed. Family and friends will be gathering on Saturday, May 2 at 11:00 am at Christ Lutheran Church, 2314 E. Main St., Bexley, Ohio 43209 to celebrate Bill's life. The family asks that you may make contributions to: Ohio Health Hospice, c/o Ohio Health Foundation, 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, or Thoburn United Methodist Church, 209 East Main Street., Saint Clairsville, Ohio, 43950 in his honor