Dr. William Rogers "Bill" Henley

Abingdon, VA – Dr. William “Bill” Henley, age 83, passed on Monday, March 16, 2015, at the Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, TN. Dr. Henley was born in Appalachia, VA to the late Fred Newland Henley and Blanche Mae Smith Henley in 1931. During his school years in Appalachia, he was all-state in football, basketball, and baseball, received the Bausch & Lomb Science Medal for highest average in biology, chemistry, and physics, and was a Life Strider Scout. Dr. Henley was the salutatorian of the 1950 Class of Appalachia High School. After high school, Dr. Henley attended Vanderbilt University from 1950-1953 where he played football, baseball, and majored in chemistry. Upon graduating from Vanderbilt, he was accepted into the Medical College of Virginia. He earned the Westinghouse National Scholarship Award, was a member of the AKV Honors Fraternity, Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity, and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon chapter of the Honorary Dental Society. Dr. Henley graduated with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree in 1957. From 1957-1959 Dr. Henley served as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force and then served in the Reserves until 1972, obtaining the rank of Captain. On September 3, 1959, Dr. Henley opened William R. Henley, D.D.S. in Lebanon, VA and operated it until 1995. He held memberships with the American Dental Association and the Southwest Virginia Dental Association. While in Lebanon, Dr. Henley served on the Lebanon Planning Commission for many years and was presented with the Distinguished Service Award. While residing in Lebanon, he was a member of the Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church and served on many committees. While living in Abingdon, he was a member of Abingdon United Methodist Church. His pastime enjoyments included spending time on South Holston Lake with his family and friends, playing golf at Glenrochie Country Club, and closely watching Vanderbilt University and Emory & Henry College athletics. In addition to his parents, Dr. Henley is preceded in death by his loving wife, Jackie Onlee King Henley; twin brother, Robert N. Henley; and sister, Allene Henley Smith. He is survived by four children: Kimberly Henley Miller and husband Nathan of Bridgewater, VA; Phillip N. Henley and wife Lisa of Lebanon, VA; Ellen Rogers Henley Barrs and husband Stan of Abingdon, VA; and William Todd Henley and wife Robin of Abingdon, VA; sister, Shirley Henley Myers of Danville, VA; ten grandchildren: Nathan H. Miller, II, Andrew Garland Henley Miller and wife Abby, Amanda Miller Akers and husband Justin, Caroline Elizabeth Miller, Abby Henley Vencill and husband Tyler, Olivia Henley, Graysen Barrs, Tanner Barrs, Will Henley, and Cate Henley; and sisters-in-law, Blanche Whitson and Ada King. Visitation with the family will be held 12-2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main Street. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. following the visitation, with Rev. Robert Countiss officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Todd Henley, Nathan H. Miller, II, Andrew G. H. Miller, Tanner F. Barrs, Will Henley, Dean “Corky” Smith, Mark Smith, Dr. Marty Whitson, John Jessee, and Randy Garrett serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Emory Wright, J.S. Easterly, Jr., Bill Cross, Dr. Joe Adair, Clyde Yates, Bill McFarlane, A.G. Griffith, Jr., Dennis Godfrey, Ben Abel, Harry Fife, Lee Scott Horne, and Fred Stanley. Military rites will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Air Force. The family would like to extend special thanks to Carolyn Bailey, Beth White, Rev. Mike Rife, and Assurance Care Plus. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steeles Road, Bristol, TN, 37620, in Dr. Henley’s name. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The Henley family is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.