Mr. Willie S. Henderson died Aug. 27. The son of Clinton and Daisy (Blanchard) Henderson, he was born in Covington in 1921. His older brother Fred, preceded him in death.

A navy veteran of World War II, he later attended vocational school where he learned the masonry trade. Mr. Henderson was a self-employed brick mason for most of a career that spanned more than 60 years. His work ethic was exemplary, and he trained a number of young men, including his sons and nephews, in the art of bricklaying. Fine examples of Mr. Henderson's residential and commercial construction projects in brick, block and stone can be seen throughout Newton County and surrounding areas. Mr. Henderson was a member of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church in Oxford where he served on the deacon board. He attended faithfully until declining health limited his mobility.

Mr. Henderson was a life member of Friendship Lodge No. 20. As a working mason, he took special pride in his lodge membership. In his younger days, Mr. Henderson enjoyed an active life of long days filled with work, but he took time to enjoy hunting and fishing with family and friends. For many years, he kept a large vegetable garden and generously shared the fruits of his labor with his neighbors. In more recent years, his favorite pastime has been watching and greeting passersby in front of his home on Carroll Street.
Surviving are his wife Mrs. Rosanna Bostick Henderson; daughters Mr. and Mrs. John L. (Willie) Clay, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. (Deborah) Rice; sons Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth (Katie) Henderson and Mr. Michael Henderson; grandchildren Michalan Henderson, Brandon Clay and Jameson Henderson; sister Emmis Pitts; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and devoted caregivers.

Funeral services for Mr. Willie S. Henderson will be at 1 p.m. today, Aug. 31, at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. H.K. Benton and the Rev. Marteenus Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Lawnwood Cemetery.