William H. Henderson's Obituary
SUSSEX COUNTY AGRICULTURE EXTENTION AGENT
1942-1978
William Howard "Bill" Henderson, of Georgetown, died on Saturday, August 12, 2006 at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown, Delaware. He was 93.
Bill was born December 13, 1912 into the family in Lisbon, Maryland, son of James Thomas Henderson and Catherine Cyler Howard Henderson and the youngest of five children, Brice Worthington Henderson, Clarence Kenneth Henderson, James Thomas Henderson, and Catherine Cyler Henderson. He attended school in Lisbon and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1930.
After high school, Mr. Henderson worked on the family farm for two years. Mr. Henderson enrolled in 1932 and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1936 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Education. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and played on the soccer and baseball teams of the University. After graduation he began his career as Vocational Agriculture Teacher in Denton, Maryland in 1936. In 1937 he moved to Greensboro, Maryland where he taught until 1942. In June 1940 he married the former Margaret Ford Cooper. They moved to Georgetown, Delaware in June of 1942 where he became Assistant Sussex County Agriculture Extension Agent. He served in this position for 36 years until 1978. As the Assistant County Agent, he served as the Secretary and a Board Member of the Sussex Soil Conservation District for 57 years, from June 1942 until January 1, 1999. He served on the Governor's Board on Aging under Governor's Peterson, Tribbett, Dupont, and Castle from 1971 until 1991. He served as Youth Coordinator for the Delaware State Grange from 1958 until 1960.
A member of the Georgetown Kiwanis Club since 1942, he was an active member until his death. He served as Lt. Governor of the 11th division, Capital District in 1952. He played a vital role in the fund raising Chicken Bar-B-Que which the Kiwanis sponsors on Route 18 out side of Georgetown. As a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown for 66 years He taught Sunday School for over twenty years, and served on all committees during his membership. He was an active member of the "Grumpy Old Men's" group which met on Wednesdays for food and fellowship.
In the 1950's and 60's he was an active public speaker at many churches and community groups.
He enjoyed writing poetry for family, friends, his church, and community. Many individuals, groups, and businesses have received a poem from him on their positive aspects. A member of the Georgetown Historical Society, the organization published a book of his poems "ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE" in 1996. The book is a fundraiser for the group and is still available from them.
Bill enjoyed a week in Ackworth, New Hampshire each year in a hunting camp with friends. He did not hunt but served as procurer and assistant cook. He loved the area and friends and wrote several poems about the experiences, some of which were printed in local newspapers.
He became involved in the formation and development of the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover. As a charter member he spent countless hours helping in it's formation and collection of items for display. At it's inception he was the largest individual financial contributor. He remained active on the museum board as long as he was physically able.
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years Margaret Ford Cooper Henderson in 1992. He is survived by his son George Thomas Henderson, daughter-in-law, Christine M. Henderson, and grandchildren, Georgeann, of Ocean View, Catherine, of Lewes, and Eric Henderson of Georgetown, Delaware.
Services will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church on Race Street in Georgetown on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 1 PM. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be at Union Cemetery in Georgetown.
Contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church at 102 East Laurel Street, Georgetown, DE 19947, or The Delaware Agriculture Museum and Village, 866 North DuPont Highway, Dover, Delaware 19966.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Georgetown, DE.
Online condolences may be emailed to parsellfuneralhomes.com
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