Dr. Willis Henson, 86, of Paducah, Kentucky, entered his heavenly home on February 5, 2025, at Charter Senior Living of Paducah. He leaves a legacy of unwavering faith and profound love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived a life of obedience and now receives the joy of being in the presence of the One he so faithfully served.
His pastoral journey was one of remarkable dedication and influence. Bro. Willis Henson served as senior pastor of Lone Oak First Baptist Church, Paducah, Kentucky for twenty-nine years. He retired as an active pastor in February 2001. Following his retirement, he continued to be used by God in revivals and conferences as well as serving as Interim Pastor of churches throughout this area.
During his years of pastoring Lone Oak First Baptist Church, the church experienced steady and, at times, rapid growth in every area. Sunday School attendance grew from an average of around 300 to 1100-1200. The church averaged more than 100 additions per year.
Before pastoring Lone Oak First Baptist Church, he served as pastor of several churches in Kentucky and Tennessee, including First Baptist Church of Huntingdon, Tennessee. He was honored by the Tennessee and Kentucky Baptist Conventions by being elected to several leadership positions while serving in both states. He was active in denominational service, which included being president of the Tennessee Pastor's Conference and the Kentucky Pastor's Conference, President of the Council of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, Trustee of Baptist Hospitals, Inc., Trustee and Chairman of the Kentucky Baptist Children's Trusts and Chairman of the Executive Committee.
After retirement Bro. Henson served as Interim Pastor for 20 years to nine area churches in Kentucky and Illinois, including Oaklawn Baptist Church in Paducah.
His service began many years before, during revival services at the Corinth Baptist Church near Lake City, Kentucky. Bro. At a young age, Henson gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ. Four years later, he was baptized and joined a local Baptist church. During his senior year of high school, he learned that God was calling him into the ministry. There had never been a preacher in his family, and it had never entered his mind that God wanted him to preach. Through the influence of Rev. Don Cooper, he began to search for God's will. Soon, it was clear that God had called him, and he said many times over the years that it was the greatest thing that ever happened after his salvation.
After graduating high school in 1957, he enrolled in Bethel College, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and two years later, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee. After college, he attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He did additional study at Memphis Theological Seminary and received a Master of Divinity Degree from Cumberland Presbyterian. He received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville, Florida.
He believed that the pastor's greatest responsibility was to build a relationship of love with his congregation, staff, his own family and the world; all working together to bring the lost to Christ.
He always enjoyed basketball, playing in high school and later becoming a fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, attending many games including his favorite S.E.C. Tournament games.
Bro. Willis Henson is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Beatrice "Bea" Dukes Henson of Paducah; one daughter, Tammee Henson Murphy, Richmond, Kentucky; one son, Chris (Carrie) Henson, Paducah; four grandchildren, Lauren (Jeremy) Elias, Dylan (Kristin) Murphy, Kelsee Henson and Brenden Brown and two step-grandchildren, Tiffany (Jeremy) Scott and Lauren Hatfield; two brothers, Don (Velda) Henson and Roy Henson; great-grandchildren, Chance, Ariana, Cole, Sadie Murphy, Blakelee, Bennett, Lawson and Declan Elias, along with several step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bennett and Melva Driskill Henson; sisters, Dorothy "Dot" Stacy, Delmina Henson, and Gladys Schoening; and three brothers, Orville, Paul, and Cecil Henson; and a daughter-in-law, Kim Henson and a step-grandson, Devin Hatfield.
Visitation for Bro. Willis Henson will be held at Lone Oak First Baptist Church from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Bro. Henson's funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Lone Oak First Baptist Church, with Dr. Scott Thomas, Dr. Doug Strader, Dr. Dan Summerlin and his nephew, Dr. Brad Henson officiating. There will be a private family burial at Mt. Kenton Cemetery.
He requested that any deacon or minister that surrendered during his time as pastor, serve as honorary pallbearers.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Lone Oak First Baptist Church Building Fund, 3601 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, Ky 42003.
Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Lone Oak in charge of arrangements.
You may leave a message or share a story with the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
