James B. Henley

James B. Henley was born August 13, 1921, in Reader, Arkansas. He departed this life March 24, 2009.

He met the love of his life, Laure Mathieu while on active duty with the Army during World War II, in Liege, Belgium. He loved to tell the story of how he coaxed the beautiful young college student onto his Army issue Harley motorcycle by claiming he was lost and needed directions. The ruse worked. James spent the next twenty years in the military, serving in World War II, and Korea, and soon had an “Army” of his own seven children. James came back to his native South Arkansas to raise his family. He ran a series of service stations, the last of which was Henley Gulf in downtown Camden. He didn‘t talk much about his war experiences, except to tell of landing on Omaha Beach during D-day. His platoon chose him to carry the Army “scrip” or “spending money” because he could run the fastest, and he liked the idea because he knew his buddies would ensure that the money made it through - and him with it. He loved his country, and was very proud of his military service. With the onset of the Vietnam War, he began to exercise, walking around the neighborhood, and eating a healthier diet, way over 40, with seven children, his country might need him. When they called he would be ready. He claimed to be “Black Irish”, which necessarily meant he could sing and dance. He was a crooner in the vein of Perry Como, and he knew “some” of the words to every song he’d ever heard - the rest he would just make up as he went, and swear they were true. His performances in the family den were better than anything on television. He loved his built in audience, and they loved him. On stormy nights, he would gather the grandchildren around the fireplace, sitting in the dark, telling scary stories. He told the best scary stories - in fact telling them so well, he would begin to scare himself, and more than once asked to turn the lights back on. He would take the grandchildren hunting, and scare everyone so badly, including himself, they would break camp, and head for home. He didn’t like to be fancied up for public consumption, telling his family, “Don’t ever forget, I’m a foxhole man.” He never wanted anyone to think he was “trying to be something he wasn’t”. At the end of his life, one child was going down the list saying, this one loves you, this one loves you too, this one called, you know this one loves you, and he interrupted, and said, “Why are you wearing me out with things you and I both already know?” He knew he was loved.

His wife and seven children, 13 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren survive him. His daughter Danielle Dickinson, and her husband Bob live in Camden, as does daughter Susan McDougal, grandson Jason , and granddaughter Michelle. Living in Houston, Tx, are his son, James B. Henley, Jr., son John Henley, his wife Royce Ann, three grandsons, Brandt, Walt, and Eli, and his daughter Paula Cochrane, her husband, David, and son David, Jr. His son David Henley, his wife, Belinda, and four grandchildren, David, Krystina, Karlee, and Luke live in Hot Springs, AR. Bill Henley, and his wife Sharlene live in Lake Arrowhead, California, grandchildren Ben and Gini live in NW AR, Brian in Benton, AR.

James’ family’s prayers are filled with the following names of those who surrounded our loved one with care, hope and compassion during his lengthy illness: Dr. Dan Martin, and Shirley, Janet with Life Touch Hospice, the administration, and staff at Ouachita Nursing and Rehabilitation, with Beth, Amanda, Brandy, Trista, Matt, Nancy, Joyce and Sheila, standing beside him all the way home. May the Lord Bless and Keep You every day. Know that you are loved.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Proctor Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery in Camden.

To view the slideshow presentation for James Henley please visit, http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=3086487&alb=0