William “Bill” Palmer Hensler

Published 5:01 pm Monday, September 30, 2024

William “Bill” Palmer Hensler, age 88, of LaGrange (formerly of Hampton and Milner) passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2024, at West Georgia Hospice surrounded by friends and family.

He was born in Morgan County, Georgia to the late Jessie Clyde Phelps Hensler and the late Henry (Buck) H. Hensler.

Bill was of the Baptist faith. Bill had a strong work ethic and believed in hard work. He was self-taught in many areas. He owned and operated Hensler Electric Company, Inc., an electrical, heating and air conditioning business for twenty-five years in Henry County, GA. He worked many nights, weekends, and holidays servicing his customers, oftentimes for no charge. He believed in hard work and had high expectations of himself and others who worked with him.

Bill enjoyed barbecuing and sharing his famous barbecue sauce with others. In his earlier years he often hosted friends and family for barbecues. He loved planting a garden and would oftentimes share the crops with others in the community. He was active his entire life and loved to fish, garden, walk, dance, work in his shop repairing things, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and chatting with the men’s morning coffee club offering his opinion on each topic of conversation, regardless of whether he was asked.

Bill never met a stranger and was able to adapt to new people and surroundings with ease.

In his most recent years, Bill was active with The Active Life LaGrange senior center and loved participating in dances, playing games, exercising, and socializing at the center. There he met his very devoted and special friend, Barbara Hudson, whom he enjoyed spending time.

In addition to his parents Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Edna Conkle Hensler; sisters, Edna Howard, Mildred Farr, Katheryn McCord, Euberta Malcom, and Nina May Hensler; brothers Charles, James, Joseph and Paul “Dale” Hensler and several nieces and nephews.

Bill is survived by daughters, Terry Smith (Steve) and Sabra Cowart (Jay); sons Ronnie (Pat), Donnie (Amy), Henry “Hank” (Connie), and Thomas Hensler (Angela); grandchildren, Holly Stewart (Brian), Hunter Hensler (Emily), Blake Hensler, Grace Hensler, Anna Gill (Davis), Jase Cowart, Caitlin James (EJ), Emma Hensler, Jennifer Jarrard (Joey), Vy Duong (Duong Ho), Trina Kelly (Trey), Laura Maddox (Adam) and Amanda Smith; several great-grandchildren; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Linda Parrish (Roy) and James Conkle; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mr. William “Bill” Palmer Hensler will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 11:00 am at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home Chapel in Griffin. Pastor Kory Burel will officiate.

Interment will follow at Babbs Cemetery in Hampton, GA. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of William “Bill” Palmer Hensler to The Active Life – LaGrange, 140 Ragland Street, LaGrange, GA 30241 or West Georgia Hospice, 1510 Vernon Rd, LaGrange, GA 30240.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Road, Griffin, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Please join the family and friends in honoring the life of William “Bill” Palmer Hensler by visiting www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories.