William J. “Bill” Henderson
William J. “Bill” Henderson lived a life defined by service, curiosity, and deep devotion to his family. Born in Dallas in 1947 and raised in Milwaukee, Bill excelled early as a competitive swimmer in high school and college, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of athletics and personal challenge. That drive fueled his passions—from skiing the American Birkebeiner many times, to sailing Lake Michigan with his father and the MAST Club, to hiking the Appalachian Trail, and joyfully pounding out tunes on the piano. Above all, Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose presence was steady, encouraging, and full of humor.
Bill’s service to his country was courageous and consequential, though only one chapter of a full life. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1969 and completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, followed by F-100 Super Sabre and OV-10 Bronco training. While serving with the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, Bill’s OV-10 was shot down over South Vietnam during one of the war’s longest and most costly Search and Rescue missions—later chronicled in books and film. Taken prisoner on April 3, 1972, he spent 359 days in captivity, much of it reported as missing in action, before returning home with quiet strength and enduring respect for those who serve and sacrifice.
Following his military service, Bill built a distinguished civilian career, earning his doctorate in industrial psychology from Case Western Reserve University and rising to Corporate Director of Human Resources at Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation, where he was known as a principled leader who cared deeply about people.
He continued to fly with the Civil Air Patrol long past his Air Force retirement and remained a supporter of veterans, the VA Hospital, and the Fisher House mission, reflecting his gratitude for organizations that stand beside military families. Bill passed away on January 2, surrounded by his wife and children at Froedtert Hospital. He leaves a legacy of service, resilience, and care—values carried forward by his wife, three children and four grandchildren.