William Hendricks

1931 - 2021

Mr. William Anderson Hendricks (Ret. Msgt. U.S. Army), 89, of Madison, Indiana, formerly of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Dry Ridge, Kentucky, entered this life on April 6, 1931 in Franklin, Kentucky.
He was the loving son of the late Jesse Thompson and Julia Ellen Huffman Hendricks. He was a 1949 graduate of Dry Ridge High School. He entered the United States Army on Jan. 30, 1951, and was honorably discharged on Oct. 30, 1952, receiving the Purple Heart medal. He reenlisted on Sept. 15, 1961, and made a career of the Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant (E-8) and was awarded another Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 30, 1980, in Fairbanks, Alaska. He had also served in the Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery during the Vietnam War.
He was united in marriage to Gonell Jeraldine Purvis on April 11, 1955, in Dry Ridge, Kentucky. This happy union was blessed with two sons, John Daniel and James Russell, and a daughter, Edna Sheryl.
While living in Fairbanks he and Jeraldine were members of University Baptist Church. William had also climbed Mount McKinley in his early 30s and was proud of his accomplishment. He and Jeraldine decided to stay in Alaska after his retirement until 2012 when they moved to Madison, Indiana. He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Hanover, Indiana, Disabled American Veterans, and the Order of the Purple Heart. He was past master and member of the Fairbanks F. & A.M. Lodge No. 12 and was a 33rd Degree member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.
He enjoyed his family very much and found great knowledge in reading. William had endured the effects of being exposed to Agent Orange from the Vietnam War and suffered with the illnesses caused by the exposure. William died on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at 7:04 p.m. at the King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison, Indiana.
Survivors include his wife, Jeraldine Purvis Hendricks; sons, John Daniel Hendricks and James Russell Hendricks; grandsons, Jesse Coleman and Elijah Daniel; his great-grandchildren, Gavin Wayne and Neema Danielle; and brother, George Samuel Hendricks.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at 11 a.m., by Pastor Gary Cox and Pastor Mike Johnson at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North, 205 Eibeck Lane in Williamstown, Kentucky, with full honors. Friends may visit Thursday from 4-7 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre.
Memorial contributions may be made to the University Baptist Church or the Cornerstone Baptist Church. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover or online at www.morgan-nay.com.