SR0621 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0621 LRB101 13788 MST 62645 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leroy O. Hensley of Gifford, who passed away on August 12, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Hensley was born at home in Westville to Olin Vern and Hazel Cravens Hensley on September 10, 1922; he attended first grade in Westville and then a one-room school in Jenkins; he graduated from Westville High School, where he was a part of the orchestra and band and a drum major his senior year; he took part in the chorus, plays, and debate team and was chosen for the school honor society, Owls, his junior and senior years; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Hensley attended business school in Danville and was then employed by the Vermilion County Highway Department; he was then hired by the U.S. Army Air Force at Chanute Air Force Base; in November of 1942, he entered the active Air Force and was assigned to the Santa Anna Army Air Base; he returned home in 1943 and married Mary Wargo on August 14, 1943, while on leave; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Hensley transferred to Camp Pinedale, California as part of a cadre being formed to go to the South Pacific; while there, the war with Japan ended, and he was transferred to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho; he was discharged in November of 1945; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Hensley returned to employment at Chanute Air Force Base; after five years at Chanute, he transferred to Parks Air Force Base in Pleasanton, California; after five years there, he returned to Chanute as the M&S Group Material Officer; he received the Air Force Commendation Medal for his management of Secretary McNamara's Cost Reduction Program; he also received an Air Force Commendation Medal for his accomplishments as Chief, Logistic Division, Resource Management Group; he retired as Chief, Plans and Programs Division in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Hensley was active in Rantoul functions; he was a member of the committee that wrote the first Village zoning ordinance and served on the zoning appeals board for several years, most of them as chairman; he was Past Master of the local Masonic Lodge, served as governor of the Rantoul Moose Lodge, was district vice president, and a member of the state board for 12 years, where he served as state membership chair and attained the Honorary Pilgrim Degree, which is the highest degree in the Moose; he was president of the East Central Illinois Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association for many years; he served on the state board for 11 years as district vice president, second vice president, and state membership chairman; he was also a member of Rantoul American Legion Post 287; he served as an AAU swimming official from 1953 to 1955 and officiated Pan-American tryouts at Mare Island, California from 1954 to 1955; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Hensley's biggest pride was his family, and he enjoyed family gatherings; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Hensley was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Mary Catherine; his parents; his sons-in-law, Duane Albers and Faustino Hernandez; his sister, Winifred Mae; and his brother, Harmon Oliver; and

WHEREAS, Leroy Hensley is survived by his daughters, Linette Albers and Deborah Hensley; his grandson, Todd (Angie) Albers; his sisters-in-law, Ann Knach and Margaret Cornwell; and numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leroy O. Hensley and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Leroy Hensley as an expression of our deepest sympathy.