Lawrence Oliver Hensley, one of nine children born to the union of
Clarence R. and Ethel (Walters) Hensley, was born May 16, 1920 in
Laquey, Missouri where he grew up. He began attending school and
graduated from Waynesville High School in 1939. After graduating,
Lawrence attended three semesters at Central Missouri State in
Warrensburg.
In 1942, Lawrence entered the United States Army Air Corp and served his
country faithfully for the next 36 years. He had attained the rank of
Chief Warrant Officer 4 and had earned several awards and commendations.
Some of those include: 6 Bronze Stars for Air Offensive – Europe,
Normandy, Southern France Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe Campaigns
and the Good Conduct Medal.
After retiring from the military, Lawrence began working at the Missouri
National Guard in Jefferson City in the Adjunct General’s Office and
retired in 1977.
On January 1, 1942, Lawrence was united in marriage to Margaret Farr.
They shared many years together before she preceded him in death on
December 3, 1991. They were blessed with one son, Larry.
Lawrence was united in marriage to Velma Lois (Bell) Crider on October
30, 1993 in Jefferson City, Missouri. They shared many wonderful
memories together.
After a time, Lawrence and Velma moved to the Waynesville area and they
enjoyed traveling together. In his spare time, Lawrence loved being
outdoors enjoying God’s creation while hunting and fishing. He was a
member of the American Legion Post 5 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars
#103, both in Jefferson City.
Lawrence made a profession of faith as a young man and he was a faithful member of the Westside Baptist Church of Waynesville.
Lawrence went home to be with his Lord the morning of Monday, January
16, 2012 in the Phelps County Regional Medical Center of Rolla having
attained the age of 91 years and 8 months.
Lawrence will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by his wife, Velma
Hensley of the home; four brothers: Dennis Hensley (Ruth) of Columbia,
MO, Dwight Hensley (Marilyn) of Waynesville, MO, Douglas Hensley
(Jeanette) of Orick, MO and Melvin Hensley of Waynesville, MO; two
sisters: Barbara Johnson of Albuquerque, NM and Marlene Hartley of
Richland, MO; daughter-in-law: Rosemary Hensley of Rock Hill, MO; one
granddaughter: Jennifer Gomez (Ronald); one great grandson: Leo Gomez;
several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents and his first wife, Lawrence was preceded in
death by one son, Larry Hensley, one brother, Donald Hensley and one
stillborn brother Alvin Hensley.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2012 in
the Westside Baptist Church of Waynesville with Rev. Lindell Shelden and
Rev. John Shaw officiating. David Hartley, Lawrence’s nephew, gave a
beautiful eulogy. Pianist Renita Demalade accompanied Becky Lercher as
she sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Nearer My God to Thee”. Serving as
escorts were David, Mike, Robert and Josh Hartley, Joe Petrich and
Marvin Long. Serving as honorary escorts were Dennis, Dwight, Douglas
and Melvin Hensley.
Burial with military honors followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park
Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and
Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.
