1920
William
2013
William C. "Bill" Henderson
January 11, 1920 — January 28, 2013
William C. "Bill" Henderson, 93, Manhattan, Kansas, formerly a longtime resident of Atchison, Kansas died Monday, January, 28, 2013 at Via Christi Village in Manhattan.
Graveside services and burial will be Friday, February 1, 2013 at 1:30 PM at Oak Hill Cemetery, Atchison, Kansas with Rev. Lee Hendon officiating. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, Kansas has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church of Atchison and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Bill was born January 11, 1920 in Davis City, Iowa, the son of John C. and Anna C. Baumann Henderson. As a child his family moved to the Atchison area and he attended and graduated from Atchison High School in 1938. Bill and Elizabeth "Betty" Ross were united in marriage on January 20, 1941. Mrs. Henderson preceded him in death on December 9, 2011.
He served for the United States Army from September 6, 1943 until his honorable discharge December 5, 1945 with the 733rd Railroad Operating Battalion. Upon his discharge, Bill worked as a brakeman/conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad until his retirement. In additon Bill worked several small jobs that included; part owner of the local taxi company even driving and repairing taxis when not on the clock for the railroad; gas truck driver, ran a candy machine route to name a few. He also spent a good part of his summer helping his parents plant and harvest their large truck garden. But though he worked long and hard hours he spent many hours with his family, whether it was taking them on vacations every summer, building go-carts for them to race or simply taking them along on the gas and candy routes.
An avid model train collector, Bill bought, repaired and sold numerous trains during his retirement. He had a large model train setup in his basement that entertained his grandchildren and school and scout groups for many years. He was one of the founding members of the Northeast Kansas Railroaders, Inc., a group that was instrumental in obtaining life-size railcars as well as trains for kids to ride which are currently on display at the Chamber of Commerce Office at the Old Santa Fe Depot.
Bill's memberships included his beloved Atchison First Christian Church in which he served over the years as deacon, on the property committee, board of directors and the Friendship Class Sunday School. He was also a member of the Salvation Army board, Fleming –Jackson Seever Post #6, of the American Legion and a member of the 40/8 Railroad Battalion Society. He volunteered at the Atchison Chamber of Commerce as a guide as well as taking responsibility for raising and lowering the giant American flag at the Chamber office daily for years after his retirement from the railroad.
Survivors include a sister, Martha Rowe, Greeley, CO; daughter, Ruth Ann Lackey (Dale, dec.), Manahttan, Ks; two sons Roger L. Henderson, Atchison, KS and James R. Henderson (Kim), Atchison, KS. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Roger Henderson Jr. (Phonsamay), Christi Sexton (David), John Lackey, Michelle Moore (Matthew), Elizabeth Sedlock (Scott), Monique Burns (Jesse) and seven great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his oldest son John W. Henderson and two sisters, Esther Tull and Elsie Emler.
Graveside services and burial will be Friday, February 1, 2013 at 1:30 PM at Oak Hill Cemetery, Atchison, Kansas with Rev. Lee Hendon officiating. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, Kansas has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church of Atchison and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Bill was born January 11, 1920 in Davis City, Iowa, the son of John C. and Anna C. Baumann Henderson. As a child his family moved to the Atchison area and he attended and graduated from Atchison High School in 1938. Bill and Elizabeth "Betty" Ross were united in marriage on January 20, 1941. Mrs. Henderson preceded him in death on December 9, 2011.
He served for the United States Army from September 6, 1943 until his honorable discharge December 5, 1945 with the 733rd Railroad Operating Battalion. Upon his discharge, Bill worked as a brakeman/conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad until his retirement. In additon Bill worked several small jobs that included; part owner of the local taxi company even driving and repairing taxis when not on the clock for the railroad; gas truck driver, ran a candy machine route to name a few. He also spent a good part of his summer helping his parents plant and harvest their large truck garden. But though he worked long and hard hours he spent many hours with his family, whether it was taking them on vacations every summer, building go-carts for them to race or simply taking them along on the gas and candy routes.
An avid model train collector, Bill bought, repaired and sold numerous trains during his retirement. He had a large model train setup in his basement that entertained his grandchildren and school and scout groups for many years. He was one of the founding members of the Northeast Kansas Railroaders, Inc., a group that was instrumental in obtaining life-size railcars as well as trains for kids to ride which are currently on display at the Chamber of Commerce Office at the Old Santa Fe Depot.
Bill's memberships included his beloved Atchison First Christian Church in which he served over the years as deacon, on the property committee, board of directors and the Friendship Class Sunday School. He was also a member of the Salvation Army board, Fleming –Jackson Seever Post #6, of the American Legion and a member of the 40/8 Railroad Battalion Society. He volunteered at the Atchison Chamber of Commerce as a guide as well as taking responsibility for raising and lowering the giant American flag at the Chamber office daily for years after his retirement from the railroad.
Survivors include a sister, Martha Rowe, Greeley, CO; daughter, Ruth Ann Lackey (Dale, dec.), Manahttan, Ks; two sons Roger L. Henderson, Atchison, KS and James R. Henderson (Kim), Atchison, KS. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Roger Henderson Jr. (Phonsamay), Christi Sexton (David), John Lackey, Michelle Moore (Matthew), Elizabeth Sedlock (Scott), Monique Burns (Jesse) and seven great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his oldest son John W. Henderson and two sisters, Esther Tull and Elsie Emler.
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