Wendell Ray Henderson, 82, of Lampasas died at his residence on Feb. 26, 2022.
Wendell was born Dec. 17, 1939, in Olustee, Oklahoma to Larry and Thelma Lee (Parker) Bettencourt. He graduated from Altus High School in 1958.
Wendell married Brenda Bennett on July 5, 1980.
He served in the U.S. Army in the Medium Tank Battalion 245th Armored 45th Infantry Division at North Fort Hood. Later he served eight years in the National Guard.
Wendell worked 32 years in the Army Airforce Exchange System AAFES all over the world, including Altus, Oklahoma; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Okinawa, Japan; and finally at Fort Hood, Texas. He retired in 1990.
After a short retirement, he and his wife owned and operated Henderson’s Auto Sales in Copperas Cove for 12 years.
Mr. Henderson was a member of First Baptist Church of Kempner and the Masonic Lodge in Okinawa, Japan. He was president of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce from 1994-1995.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda, of Lampasas; son, David Henderson and wife Michelle of Jewett; daughters Theresa Goodnight and husband Benton of Killeen, Carolyn Rose and Jon of Lexington, Kentucky, Gina Blades and husband Jim of Killeen, Susan Redmond and husband Adam of Killeen, and Fran Wilcoxen of Cleveland, Ohio; sister-in-law Hope Thacker and husband Dean of Evant; brothers-in-law Robert Johnson and wife Pam of Beaumont, Greg Conklin of Altus, Oklahoma, and Danny Johnson and wife Addie of Houston; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and others.
Mr. Henderson was preceded in death by his brothers Parker Henderson, Richard Bettencourt, Blain Henderson and Harwell Henderson; and by one sister, Sherry Conklin.
A memorial service is set for March 8 at 9 a.m. at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, officiated by Don Casper. Heritage Funeral Home of Lampasas has charge of arrangements.
