The world lost a beautiful soul this week. On Wednesday February 17, 2021, Benny Glynn Henager, 67, of Greenville went to his rest following a series of strokes and a brief hospitalization. He leaves behind Pam, his wife and girlfriend of 48 years and daughters Crystal Henager (Antonio Tirado) of Arlington and Nikki Tsakonas (Jason)of Lewisville, grandchildren Phoebe Neel, Myles Tirado and Benjamin Tsakonas, Sister Lisa Russell (Steve) of Camdenton, MO, brother Tim Henager (Joann) of McGregor, TX, sister Patti Klinkovsky (John) of Temple, TX and his mother and father-in-law Betty and Vernon Speer of Greenville.
Benny was born October 30, 1953 in McGregor, TX to Eva Inez (Barr) and Ben Willis Henager. He was the oldest of four children, and was generally described as responsible, a little mischievous and insatiably curious as a child. When he went to his mother at a young age and asked how a combustion engine worked and she could not answer, he found a book and taught himself.
He was the family photographer having briefly studied photography at East Texas State University. He was a student and part-time projectionist at the Texan Theater in Greenville where he met Pam Speer and married her 3 months later. He worked at a power plant early in their marriage and spent 25 years as a rural route driver for UPS. For the past 10 years he has enjoyed driving a school bus for GISD. He received much joy working with the kids and getting to know his fellow drivers and aids.
Benny was one of a rare breed whose fashion sense actually improved after retirement (if you remember the cut-off jeans and tube socks of the 80’s and 90's no further explanation is necessary). It seems he could build, repair, or re-engineer just about anything he took a notion to. And his happiest times were spent playing with grandbabies and walking in the woods or sitting at the campfire with Pam and their little dog Casey.
If you were a friend of Benny’s you have a story about a time when he helped you with a problem or a project. His family would hope that instead of flowers you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some poor soul in his name.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
In compliance with CDC guidelines, a mask will be required in the facility and social distancing will be required.