Obituary of William G. Henderson

William G. Henderson, 84, of Bedford died at 1:50 am on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital in New Albany.

 Born March 25, 1933 in Mitchell, IN he was the son of Kelsey Opal and Doris (Railing) Henderson. He married Sandra S. "Sonnie" Chambers on June 4, 1954 and she survives. William was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. After a career in real estate, he was a Senior Vice President of Stone City Bank for many years and then Executive Director of the Southern Indiana Development Commission until he retired.

He was a community advocate, consummate volunteer and passionate leader. A lifelong Democrat, he was active for many years in local politics. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he served as a Certified Lay Minister, Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was a Member and Past Master of the Bedford Masonic Lodge F&M #14 for 60 years and a member of the Lawrence County Past Masters Association. He raised over 70 men into the Masonic Lodge, including his own grandson Travis Biesel. He was a Past Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge #826, Bedford City Councilman, Bedford Chamber of Commerce (President), Bedford Planning Commission (President), Lawrence County United Way (President), Bedford Board of Zoning Appeals, Sheriff's Merit Board, Power Squadron, Alcohol Beverage Commission Board SCAVI (South Central Association of the Visually Impaired) and Bedford Little Theater. He was also a Kentucky Colonel.

He loved time with his family, world-wide travel, sailing, bicycling, cooking and taught himself to play over ten musical instruments. He was a talented artist, drawing favorite cartoon characters on playhouses, bedroom walls, the Children’s Area at Garden Villas and in the halls of Englewood Elementary School. After his failing sight no longer allowed him to drive, he was seen daily walking throughout town.

Survivors include his wife, Sonnie of Bedford; two sons: Stephen "Marc" Henderson and wife Jo of Evansville, and William "Patrick" Henderson and wife Gina of Owensburg; one daughter, Lois "Suzanne" Bowman and husband Ken of Sellersburg; nine grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; two sisters-in-law Lois Henderson and Jimmy Jansen. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers: Frank Burns Henderson and Garris R. Henderson, one brother-in-law James M. Jansen and two sisters-in-law Jackie Henderson and Phyllis Chambers.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 22nd, 2018 in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Pastors Nathan Sundt and Riley Walker officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 21st at the Day & Carter Mortuary where a Masonic Service will be conducted at 7:00 pm. William chose cremation and burial will be at Cresthaven Memorial Gardens at a later date.