Wills Hensley

Homer "Wills" Hensley, age 79, passed away at 6:34 am on Thursday, September 21, 2023. He was born in Mansfield, Missouri on September 18, 1944, to Homer H. and Bessie Wills Hensley.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Karmon Dian Hensley; a son, Aaron Wills Hensley; his Mother, Bessie Wills Hensley; his Father, Homer H. Hensley; and his brother-in-law, Frank Suddarth.
He is survived by his son, Andrew Harrison Hensley of Springfield, and Andy's Mother, Dian Allen of Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Wills is survived by his two grandsons whom he adored, Hayes and Owen Hensley, both of Springfield, Missouri.
Wills is also survived by his sisters, Mary Alice Hensley-Shannon and her husband, Jim from Nevada, Missouri, and Pam Hensley-Suddarth of Beaumont, California. Wills is survived by his nieces, Julie Suddarth-Smith, Shari Shannon-Halvorson and spouses, and nephews, Jim Shannon, Jr., Mike Shannon, and Steve Suddarth and their spouses. Wills is fondly remembered by several grandnieces and grandnephews.
Upon high school graduation in 1962, Wills attended two years at Southwest Missouri State and then enlisted in the United States Navy where he served four years and was honorably discharged on August 19, 1968. Wills returned to Springfield, MO and completed his degree at Southwest Missouri State, BA, Art Major. He returned to southern California and worked as a Deputy Sheriff for Los Angeles County. Wills returned once again to Springfield and started working at the Federal Medical Center. He married Dian Allen. They were blessed with a daughter in 1973, Karmon Dian, who would die in infancy. Wills and Dian were blessed with two sons, Aaron Wills (1974) and Andrew Harrison (1978.) The family moved to Indiana where Wills took a position in the Federal Prison System and later a position in the system in Florida. These were both promotional positions in the Federal Prison System. While in Florida, Wills would complete his Masters Degree in Criminology. Wills served as a Lieutenant in the Federal Medical Prison in Springfield until his retirement.
Wills was often referred to as a "gentle giant" of a man. He loved to doodle and draw cartoons and cartoon characters for his grandsons, nieces, and nephews. He studied art and several family members recall the large sculpture that sat in the front room of Grandma Bessie's home. Wills loved watching his sons play football for the Parkview Vikings. Wills loved playing BINGO and gathering with his Bingo Buddies.
A graveside service will be held in celebration of Wills life on Friday, November 24, 2023, at the Mansfield Cemetery. More details as they become available.