Henry K. Henley

Henry Kethley Henley, a World War II veteran and retired educator, died peacefully of natural causes at the age of 88 at home in Round Rock on Saturday, July 16, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marna and two sons, John Kethley and Russell Craig. He had five grandchildren, Sarah Alaniz, Edward, Jason, and Josh Henley, and Lauren Henson. He also had two great-grandchildren, A.J. Alaniz and Ryan Henson.

Born August 10, 1922, in Lufkin, Texas, to Neal and Gwendolyn Henley, he was one of six siblings, all of whom have preceded him in death, with the exception of his sister, Mrs. W.J. Crawford of Angleton, Texas.

Commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve in September 1943, Mr. Henley first served with amphibious forces in the Pacific, where he participated in the Bouganville and Guam campaigns aboard the USS Crescent City (APA 21). He subsequently volunteered to become part of newly-formed Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT), the forerunner to the Navy’s sea, air, and land (SEAL) teams. As a member of UDT 14, he scouted beaches in the Linguayen Gulf, Philippines; and Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Mr. Henley was awarded the Silver Star medal, the nation’s third highest for combat, for his activities at Iwo Jima. After holding various positions at the Naval Reserve Training Center in Austin, he retired in 1970 following 27 years of service, at the rank of Commander.

Mr. Henley received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce in 1943, and a Masters of Education in agricultural education in 1951. He spent 20 years as a vocational agriculture teacher at Austin High School and Sidney Lanier High School. He was assistant principal and principal of Burnet Junior High School for 10 years in the 1970s, and completed his career in the Central Administration Office of the Austin Independent School District. He retired in 1985.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Round Rock, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9078 and Masonic Lodge #227. Other civic and military affiliations included the Austin Retired Teachers Association, the Austin Classroom Teachers Association, the National Education Association, the Texas State Teachers Association, the Retired Officers Association and the Navy League.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation to be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2011 at the funeral home chapel. Interment with military honors will follow in the veterans’ section of the cemetery.

To share memories of Mr. Henley with his family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com