Willie (Bill) Henry Sr.
January 30, 1948 — December 20, 2017
Willie (Bill) Henry Sr., was born on January 30, 1948, in Mobile, Alabama, to Robert Henry Sr. and Elizabeth Henry. Robert Sr. and Elizabeth moved to Chicago when their sons were very young. Later was born sister Leona Henry in Chicago, Illinois. The family joined Visitation Catholic Church where they remain faithful to their last day.
Willie and his four brothers all attended Holy Angel and Corpus Christie School. He started to work at the age of 14 for Allen Grocery as a cashier and stocking and continued to work there for 20 years. During this time he met his soon to be wife, Mildred “Millie” Watkins, who would be the mother of their seven children, Sonya, La Sheryl, Kilroy, Henry, Billy D., Gloria, baby son David Henry, and Willie Henry Jr. (his oldest son from a previous marriage). On November 13, 1982 they married. They remained married until he was called home.
He was a loving and dedicated husband, father and friend to all who came to know him. Willie lived the life he loved, and loved the life he lived.
In 2008, Mildred moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Willie decided not to go with. Blessed with strong love and commitment toward Mildred, Willie joined his wife in Iowa in 2010. Willie fell ill in 2012 when he suffered a mild stroke, which he never recovered from and would never walk again. Two years ago his health started to decline and Millie was at his side taking care of him as she worked.
Willie is preceded in death and joined in paradise by his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Henry; brothers, Odie Henry, Robert Henry Jr., his twin, William Henry, Vernon Henry; sister, Leona Henry; four sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Thelma Watkins, Barbara Henry, and Amanda Wilson.
He leaves to cherish fond memories his wife, Millie; three daughters, Sonja Watkins of Chicago, Illinois, La Sheryl Watkins of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Gloria Watkins of Des Moines, Iowa; five sons, Kilroy Watkins of Somner, Illinois, Henry (Venessia) Watkins of Des Moines, Iowa, Billy Watkins, David (Cherish) Henry of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Willie Henry Jr. of Calumet City, Illinois; Forty five grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Bettie (Joe) Brinnet of Chicago, Illinois and Janet Henry of Olympia Fields; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, family and friends of both Illinois and Iowa, all of whom he loved dearly.
Willie and his four brothers all attended Holy Angel and Corpus Christie School. He started to work at the age of 14 for Allen Grocery as a cashier and stocking and continued to work there for 20 years. During this time he met his soon to be wife, Mildred “Millie” Watkins, who would be the mother of their seven children, Sonya, La Sheryl, Kilroy, Henry, Billy D., Gloria, baby son David Henry, and Willie Henry Jr. (his oldest son from a previous marriage). On November 13, 1982 they married. They remained married until he was called home.
He was a loving and dedicated husband, father and friend to all who came to know him. Willie lived the life he loved, and loved the life he lived.
In 2008, Mildred moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Willie decided not to go with. Blessed with strong love and commitment toward Mildred, Willie joined his wife in Iowa in 2010. Willie fell ill in 2012 when he suffered a mild stroke, which he never recovered from and would never walk again. Two years ago his health started to decline and Millie was at his side taking care of him as she worked.
Willie is preceded in death and joined in paradise by his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Henry; brothers, Odie Henry, Robert Henry Jr., his twin, William Henry, Vernon Henry; sister, Leona Henry; four sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Thelma Watkins, Barbara Henry, and Amanda Wilson.
He leaves to cherish fond memories his wife, Millie; three daughters, Sonja Watkins of Chicago, Illinois, La Sheryl Watkins of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Gloria Watkins of Des Moines, Iowa; five sons, Kilroy Watkins of Somner, Illinois, Henry (Venessia) Watkins of Des Moines, Iowa, Billy Watkins, David (Cherish) Henry of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Willie Henry Jr. of Calumet City, Illinois; Forty five grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Bettie (Joe) Brinnet of Chicago, Illinois and Janet Henry of Olympia Fields; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, family and friends of both Illinois and Iowa, all of whom he loved dearly.
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