Mordecai Walter Hensley, Jr., aged 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 29, 2016 surrounded by his daughters and son-in-law. Walt was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. Walt was born to Mordecai Walter Hensley, Sr. and Inez May Hensley, in Tampa, Florida on January 3, 1925.
In June 1943 Walt enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He trained as a gunner on an SBD dive bomber at Cecil Field, Florida. He proudly served in the South Pacific during WWII in Marine Aircraft Group 61 - Squadron VMB 433 as a radio gunner on a PBJ (B-25).
Walt was married 64 years to the love of his life, Catherine Kenyon Hensley, who predeceased him in February 2015. Together they lovingly raised two daughters and truly made their house a home.
Walt made his career in transportation. His sister, Dorothy Hensley Boatman, who predeceased him, bought him his first bike when he was 10 years old so he could go to work delivering the Saturday Evening Post. When he was 18 he began work with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad as a passenger agent and continued with the railroad until 1956 when he began work with Great Southern/Ryder Truck Lines. Walt was a successful regional sales manager and vice president of sales for Ryder where he “kept on trucking” until he retired in 1987.
He loved to fish with his father when he was a boy growing up in Tampa. As an adult he enjoyed working in his yard and won several “Yard of the Month” awards. He was an avid golfer and was successful in achieving three holes-in-one. He was the original “Mr. Fix-it” and self-taught in carpentry, electrical, and plumbing.
Walt and Catherine were faithful members of All Saints Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, Florida. Walt was an usher for many years, served on vestry, organized annual church blood drives, and was a chair for the church’s 50th year anniversary celebration.
Walt is survived by his daughters, Linda Hensley, M.D. and Catherine (Cathy) McMullen; his son-in-law, Randy McMullen; his granddaughter, Michelle McMullen (Danny Kaufmann); his great granddaughters, Isabella McMullen and Niko Kaufmann; his niece, Dr. Sandra Boatman; and his beloved “grand-dog” Ranger.
Walt’s family would like to thank Dr. John Katopodis, Dr. William Dixon, and Dr. Robert Brumberg, as well as the doctors, nurses, technicians and staff at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital MSICU for their loving care. Thanks also to the Westminster Oaks Tallahassee staff and residents for their love and friendship.
Walt had a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held at 2PM on Friday, February 5, 2016 at St. Peter’s Anglican Church 4784 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, Florida.
Military Honors Internment will take place at 1PM on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, Florida or to Macular Degeneration research.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6