Dad, Paw-Paw, Unc, Uncle Bill, Uncle Billie, Brother Hensley, these are just some of the names he was affectionately known as by his family, church members and friends.

He was born in South Fulton, TN to the parentage of David Hensley and Grace Atkins.  He was born as the 5th child in a family of nine children.

He attended Rosewald School in South Fulton, TN and gave his life to Christ at an early age under the ministry of Marshall Keeble.  As a young man, he left Fulton and moved to Champaign, IL where he lived for a couple of years and then moved to Saginaw, MI for a better job opportunity. He operated a Dairy Queen and did a little amateur boxing (middle weight).

After leaving Saginaw, MI, he seemed to have found his passion for preaching.  He moved from Michigan to Paducah and opened the Hensley's Auto Body Shop and served as the minister at the Church of Christ located in Paducah, KY on Husbands Street which is now located on 9th Street.  He also attended the West Kentucky Bible School in Benton, KY.  William Hensley operated the Hensley's Body Shop on Cruse Avenue for over 65 years until a fire destroyed the building.

During his years of self-employment he not only owned Hensley's Auto Body Shop, but he also taught at the Historically Black West Kentucky Vocational School and provided auto body apprentice positions.  He worked his ministries in jail,  prison, Job Corps, and Nursing Homes.  He even helped the youth in raising money for the Lion's Club Telethon and carrying them throughout the community to cut grass for single parents and the elderly.

Serving as a gospel preacher in Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee and other places gave him the opportunity to travel and preach in states such as Alabama and Texas.

Mr. Hensley participated as a charter member of "The National Southwestern Christian College Dinner Day Committee" for Southern Illinois, Southwest Kentucky and West Tennessee.

William Hensley who was passionately called "Brother Hensley" was an ardent supporter of Christian Colleges and Universities.   With the assistance and support of Brother Jim Faughn, Brother Hensley was on the advisory board at Freed-Hardman University in Henderson, TN. William Hensley was an outstanding recruiter for Southwestern Christian College.  He served and provided ministerial internship opportunities to up and coming students with the desire of ministry.

As you can see Mr. Hensley served in many ways, always there to assist in whatever way was needed.  Assisting people to their doctor appointments, getting medications, and picking up members' children from school are just a few examples full of life diverse ministries.

When all was said and done, most of all, he loved preaching and teaching.  Many souls were baptized under his leadership.

(II Timothy 4: 7-8) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all of them also that love his appearing."

He leaves to cherish his many memories:  One Son, Robert (Christine) Hensley of Paducah, KY; One Daughter, Jean E. Hensley of Los Angeles, CA; Three Grandsons, Robert (Misha) Hensley, Jr. of Nashville, TN, Byron (Tiffany) Hensley of Lexington, KY and Jamal Collins of Paducah, KY; Nine Great-Grandchildren; Two Bonus-Grandsons, Tyreck Anderson and Jaden Brady; Three Sisters, Lue Ella Brown of Ypsilanti, MI, Peggy Brown of Garland, TX and Janie Smith of Champaign, IL; Several Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.

Funeral services begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Central Church of Christ here in Paducah.  Friends may call on the family at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.  Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.