Willie Lee Henry

Willie Lee Henry was born on March 28, 1954, in Prescott, Arkansas to the union of Jesse Henry and Allie Mae Ford Ollison. Willie Lee was a 1972 graduate of Gurdon High School.

He accepted Christ at a tender age and attended Mt. Canaan Baptist Church and New Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He worked as an independent plumber for a number of years. He was often sought for his timely and efficient plumbing work.

Willie was a supportive and loving parent. He took his role as a father seriously; teaching kindness, self-respect, and respect for others. He was a trusted friend and family was everything to him. His smile, and charismatic personality, drew others to him easily.

By all accounts, he was a “jack of all trades”. He was a handyman and would spend hours working on cars. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. If there was ever a true hat man, it was Willie. He loved his trademark brim hats. He lived a simple, uncomplicated life and enjoyed the pleasure of just being happy.

Willie Lee passed peacefully on Thursday, September 29, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Jessie Mae Henry, and a brother, Horace Henry.

Because love is more significant than death, he will be forever loved by his wife, Latanya Henry; his children, Latonya (Paul) McGill, Crystal (Deonco) Houston all of Gurdon, AR; his bonus children, Derrick Clarkson and Marcella (Kevin) Nelson all of Louisville, KY, and Marian (DeAndre) Williams of Beaumont, TX; eight grandchildren; sisters, Dessie Mae Henry of San Bernardino, CA, Cleo Edwards of Gurdon, AR and Mary Ruth Bell of Sacramento, CA and Margie (Frankie, SR.) Walker of Hot Springs, AR; brothers, George (Maple) Henry, Sr., of Ozan, AR, Joe (Judy) Henry of Los Angeles, CA, J.D. (Sandra) Henry of Gurdon, AR, Sidney (Viola) Henry of Gurdon, AR, Jerry (Wilma) Henry of Gurdon, AR and Perry (Natalya) Henry of Moreno, Valley, CA, as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other treasured family and friends.

Services are private and reserved for family and close friends. Please submit your condolences online. Interment will be at Sweet Home Cemetery in Prescott, Arkansas. The family will gather at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church-Pavilion for lunch.