William Sensenbrenner

1928 - 2016

William H. Sensenbrenner WAXHAW - William H. (Bill) Sensenbrenner of Waxhaw, NC, known for his love of music, died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 7, 2016, after a brief illness. He was 87 years young. Born on December 17, 1928, in Crestline, OH, he was raised in Circleville, OH by his parents: Marion A. Sensenbrenner and Alice Hedges Sensenbrenner. He called Waxhaw home since 1955. Bill was a veteran of the Army Signal Corps. He was a high speed radio operator and was assigned to the radio security team participating in the atomic bomb tests at Eniwetok, Marshall Islands in 1948. After three years in the Army, he joined the National Guard and served as an officer for ten years in Ohio, Georgia and North Carolina. He was employed as a design draftsman at Douglas Aircraft Company for ten years and was part of the design team for the Saturn V Moon Rocket. He worked at Catalytic Incorporated for 20 years designing machinery used in the production of chemical fibers. His last ten years of employment were spent at Day Engineering designing machinery for DuPont USA. With the help of his father-in-law, J. Ralph Wingard, Bill constructed his first home on the Wingard Farm using timber cut on-site. He and his wife, Ruth, raised their three children in that home and lived there 30 years. One of his loves was restoring furniture. His many friends and family kept him busy with that hobby. Bill came from a family of singers. He carried on that tradition all his life. He started singing in the youth choir at age ten and sang in church choirs his whole life. He was a soloist many times and sang at more than 70 weddings. Much to his joy, his son and grandchildren carry on that singing tradition. Bill was a life-long Lutheran and church builder. He was a Charter Member of Christ Lutheran and Cross and Crown Lutheran Churches in Charlotte, NC and Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Waxhaw, NC. Upon retirement, Bill and Ruth moved to 'downtown' Waxhaw where they helped raise their grandchildren with the same love and guidance they raised their children. He was Papa Bill to his grandchildren and to every child he met and he loved each one. Bill was blessed with many talents. He shared them lovingly and generously throughout his life with his family, friends and community. Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Wingard Sensenbrenner; his brother, James (Jim) Sensenbrenner; his daughter, Anna Sensenbrenner Quackenbush and husband, Glenn; his son, Dr. John Sensenbrenner and wife, Kim; his daughter, Alice Sensenbrenner Howie; his son-in-law, James H. (Jim) Howie; his grandchildren: Mathias (Matt) Moore; David Quackenbush, J. Adam Sensenbrenner; Eric Sensenbrenner; William H. (Will) Howie and wife, Brannon; Henry J. (Hank) Howie; Kathryn (Kate) Howie McAteer and husband, Logan and by the jewel in the crown of his third generation, his great-granddaughter, Julia Jane Howie. His burial will be private at Waxhaw Cemetery. A Celebration Service of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 17, 2016, at Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Christ Lutheran Church Habitat for Humanity Fund, 4519 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226 or Waxhaw United Methodist Fixing It for Christ Fund, PO Box 9, Waxhaw, NC 28173. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.heritagecares.com.