Weldon A. “Butch” Henley, 91, of Greenville passed away August 19, 2013 at Colonial Lodge. Services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Paul Gould officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
Born July 23, 1922 in Honey Grove, Weldon was the son of H. W. and Mary Esther (Dowlen) Henley. On June 21, 1945 in Greenville, he married Cleo Christine Barkley.
Weldon served in the United States Navy in World War II aboard a destroyer, the USS Mullaney. The ship was struck by a kamakazie during the invasion of Okinawa. Returning to Greenville after the war, he joined his father in business, owning and operating Henley Hardware on East Lee Street for many years until his retirement. He was involved in civic leadership, serving on the school board during 1960's.
Henley was known for his prowess on the mound in baseball. He passed his love for and knowledge of the game to many young people as a Little League coach for many years. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends at Oak Creek, and sharing his love of fishing with many friends at Club Lake. He was a lifelong of member of Wesley United Methodist Church.
He will be remembered for his personal warmth and humility by all who knew him. He was a fixture among all who traded with him in business. His family will remember him as a loving father and devoted grandfather, known affectionately by his grandkids as "Papa," "Turkey," and "GGB."
Survivors include his son Rev. Bob Henley and wife, Jane of Sun Valley, Idaho; daughter Madge Herge and husband, H. Curtis of Frisco; grandchildren Whitney Herge, Henry Curtis Herge, III, Erika Herge, Alyssa Herge, Kyle Henley, Karis Henley Kemp, Kaleb Henley, Francee Henley Perada, Lindsay Henley, Andrew Henley, and Matthew Henley Price; eight great-grandchildren; sister Rosabel Gilmer and husband Bill of Greenville; and nephew Greg Gilmer and wife, Leann.
He was preceded in death by his wife and his son Thomas Andrew Henley.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Campbell, Tom Oliver, Josh Huffman, Curt Herge, Andrew Henley, and Greg Gilmer.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Henley requested you make a donation “In honor of Weldon Alexander “Butch” Henley to the Wesley UMC Church, P. O. Box 864, Greenville, TX 75403.