William R. Henson, Sr.

William R. Henson, Sr., a loving husband and father, great carpenter and great friend, died May 22 in his South Coatesville home surrounded by many of those who loved him, especially his mother. He was 66.

Bill made lifelong friends wherever he went, and he often said he wanted to go out with his tank on empty, having lived – and loved – life to the fullest. He was strong-willed and a fighter. In fact, he was first placed in hospice for his lung cancer last August, but figured he would wait to see his next birthday, which he did, eight months later, on April 30.

Bill attended St. Agnes School and Henderson High School, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969, stationed in Pearl Harbor and later, off the coast of Vietnam and then in The Philippines. His time aboard the guided-missile destroyer, the USS Benjamin Stoddert, taught him responsibility and the good results that come from dedication and hard work.

Bill returned to Chester County and sold stereo equipment for a few years, then decided to go all-in on his lifework as a self-employed carpenter. He refurbished countless red-brick twins and rowhouses in West Chester in the early 1970s. During the mid-1970s he owned a custom wood shop on Gay Street in West Chester called Basically Wood, which sold handmade wooden clocks, towel racks, pencil holders, and more.

He enjoyed renovating bars, restaurants and homes throughout the Philadelphia region, much of it custom work done to match the existing styles and woodwork. His unique bar tops and glass racks made him many happy and repeat customers. He was known to build a few custom pool houses and gazebos, and, when work was slow, he even redid the fronts of chain stores in the Exton Mall.

But the effort he prized most was crafting unique, solid walnut furniture; tables and chairs, servers, shelves and display cases that bore an extraordinary black walnut finish.

Bill enjoyed weekends with his wife and two sons on his 33-foot sailboat, usually docked on the Chesapeake Bay at Tolchester, MD. He loved sailing and fishing in the wooded streams around his home. He also collected dragonfly memorabilia. His favorite pets were his dogs, Shelby and Bryce, who stayed by his side through his final days.  Bill loved music, gardening and good seafood restaurants, and was quick to share his political opinions.

He was a past member of the Borough Council of South Coatesville, and served a brief stint at acting interim Mayor.

Bill rediscovered his Catholic faith later in life and committed himself to helping those in need. He volunteered with Good Works, a St. Agnes group that helped people with necessary home renovations. He was also a member of the St. Agnes Men’s Bible Study Group.

Bill is survived by his wife of 28 years, Allison; his two sons, William, Jr. and Erik (Savana Miller); mother, Anna S. Henson; 5 brothers, Thomas, Jr. (Carol), Charles (Marianne), Richard (Deborah), Mark, and John; 5 sisters, Amy (Joseph Lockley), Patricia, Dolores Reese (Stephen), Mary Williams (Eric), and Theresa Kaymak (Baris); countless nephews and nieces and many, many dear and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas, and 3 sisters, Jacqueline, Barbara and Eileen Thompson.