William Henderson, Jr.
July 7, 1929 — September 17, 2014
William Henderson Jr. was granted his angel wings on September 17, 2014. His final days were spent surrounded by family, friends, and people that he had touched in some way with his gentle spirit and wonderful stories about life.
William Henderson Jr. affectionately known as "Big Willie" was born on July 7, 1929, in Savannah, Georgia to William and Florence S. Henderson. William could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. After completing the seventh grade , he was determined to work so that he could help support his father, mother and siblings.
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After working most of his teenage years Big Willie joined the army. He served in the United States Army, during World War II as a long shore man. After an honorable discharge he began working for the National Maritime Union of America in the Deep Sea Division. During his tenure at NMU, he worked more than 30 years as a merchant seaman, Big Willie visited more than 42 countries delivering cargo. You could consider him a globetrotter, world traveler, or jet setter. Big Willie could tell you all about the best foods, places to visit, and rich history for every country that he visited. One could consider him a walking geography lesson. He received such joy being a storyteller and people always remembered him for his colorful stories all about his travels and world experiences.
Big Willie loved listening to all genres of music, good food, talking about the good old days, and watching anything on television that taught him something new. If you wanted to know the answer about something you could ask Big Willie before you surfed the web. He touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.
Big Willie leaves to cherish his memory: his daughters, Felicia Henderson-Browne of Windsor Mill, Maryland and Phyllis Huggins of New York, New York; two son in laws, Cherrrod and Tony; and 5 grandchildren, A'Najee, Richard, Amyra, Azhar and Yachaazaqahl.
William Henderson Jr. affectionately known as "Big Willie" was born on July 7, 1929, in Savannah, Georgia to William and Florence S. Henderson. William could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. After completing the seventh grade , he was determined to work so that he could help support his father, mother and siblings.
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After working most of his teenage years Big Willie joined the army. He served in the United States Army, during World War II as a long shore man. After an honorable discharge he began working for the National Maritime Union of America in the Deep Sea Division. During his tenure at NMU, he worked more than 30 years as a merchant seaman, Big Willie visited more than 42 countries delivering cargo. You could consider him a globetrotter, world traveler, or jet setter. Big Willie could tell you all about the best foods, places to visit, and rich history for every country that he visited. One could consider him a walking geography lesson. He received such joy being a storyteller and people always remembered him for his colorful stories all about his travels and world experiences.
Big Willie loved listening to all genres of music, good food, talking about the good old days, and watching anything on television that taught him something new. If you wanted to know the answer about something you could ask Big Willie before you surfed the web. He touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.
Big Willie leaves to cherish his memory: his daughters, Felicia Henderson-Browne of Windsor Mill, Maryland and Phyllis Huggins of New York, New York; two son in laws, Cherrrod and Tony; and 5 grandchildren, A'Najee, Richard, Amyra, Azhar and Yachaazaqahl.
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