W. R. ""Bill"" Henry

In Loving Memory of Bill Henry February 1, 1926 - January 11, 2016 Bill was born in the mountains of Cookeville, Tennessee, the oldest of Hollis and Beulah Henry's seven children. While young, he worked in lumber mills near his home, then at a factory in Dayton, Ohio. As a soldier during World War II, Bill saw combat action in France and Germany with the 13th Armored Division. Moving to California after the war, he settled in San Jose. There he met and married Dorothy, his wife of the past 62 years. As Bill built computers for IBM, the two raised three children: Cheryl, Charles and Laura. He retired from IBM after a career of 27 years. Finding enjoyment in working with children, Bill taught Sunday School classes for many years and worked for a decade as a school crossing guard. He and Dorothy relocated to Colorado in 2001. Bill's passions were his love of Jesus Christ, his family and performing music. In California he created and led the 7-musician Back in Time String Band. As recently as a month before his passing, he was carrying his guitar and portable amplifier to assisted-living centers in the Aurora area to entertain ""elderly people"" – most of them younger than him. Bill is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Cheryl Phillips and Laura Schafer; son Charles (Rosemary) Henry; grandchildren Andrew Scott, Vanda (Kevin) Roberts, and Angela Schafer; sisters Ila Rae Emery, Anna (Ron) Nelson; and brothers Herman (Rachael) Henry and Jere (Donna) Henry; and numerous great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and by brother Hoyet Henry and sister Ruth Farley.