Roll Call Tribute

Billy Wayne Henderson, MD

March 31, 1931 - September 18, 2023 

Dr. Billy Wayne "B.W." Henderson passed away on September 18, 2023. He was born on March 31, 1931, in Fort Worth, TX to William Robert Henderson and Thelma Francis Daniels. He graduated from Grapevine High School in 1948. He attended Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, graduating in 1954 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. While at Texas A&M he was a member of The Corps of Cadets as well as a Yell Leader. He then received a Doctor of Medicine in 1958 from University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School where he received the revered Ho-Din award citing him as the University of Texas Medical School Graduate who best exemplified the ideal qualities of a physician.

After medical school, he went into the United States Air Force, stationed at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX from 1959 to 1961. Due to his veterinary & human medical training he was chosen to be a member of the Department of Space Medicine USAF to participate in the first experiment with animals in outer space by the United States. This program was coordinated with NASA, where three "mousetronauts" mice were hurled 700 miles into space and traveled 5000 miles from Cape Canaveral Florida in the nose cone of an Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. He successfully recovered the "mousetronauts" near the Ascension Islands off the Coast of Africa on October 13, 1960, where they were then delivered to the School of Aviation Medicine. This was one his greatest experiences during his extensive medical career.

After ten years practicing as a pathologist, he changed to internal medicine. Following his residency at Scott & White in Temple Texas, he made Nacogdoches his home for the remainder of his career as a Doctor of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Henderson made many contributions to the medical community in Nacogdoches, that included the Memorial Hospital Dialysis Unit, Bomar Rehab Center, Nacogdoches Blood Bank, Memorial ICU and also served as chief of staff for many years.

In addition to being an outstanding physician he enjoyed farming, ranching, and crude oil production. One of his hobbies was his love of genealogy where he would travel extensively to document his ancestry.

He is preceded in death by his father Robert Henderson, mother Thelma Conine and his stepfather Schly Conine, sister Francis Henderson, brother Bob Henderson and a son, Robert Troy Henderson. He is survived by his son William Scott Henderson and wife Cathy Henderson of Nacogdoches TX, daughter Holly Henderson of Spring TX and daughter Heather Dora of Nacogdoches TX; nine grandchildren, Amberly Hopson & husband Kevin Hopson of Nacogdoches TX, Whitney Landers and husband Chris Landers of Dallas TX, Zachary Henderson of Nacogdoches TX, Brooke Rhoades and husband Adam Rhoades of Baytown TX, Travis Henderson and wife Megan Henderson of Melrose Texas, and Gavin Grajales of Spring TX, Haley & Drew Dora of Nacogdoches TX and Jordan Putnam of Lumberton TX. Twelve great-grandchildren, Pierce, Brooks & Henley Hopson, Hutchins, Duke & Shepard Landers, Colt, Hallie, June & Luke Henderson, Charleigh & Owen Rhoades, and longtime friend & caregiver Tom Allen.

He was a member of The Sons of the American Revolution and Grapevine Masonic Lodge as a Master Mason.

Pallbearers: Kevin Hopson, Adam Rhoades, Travis Henderson, Zach Henderson, Gavin Grajales, and Tom Allen. Honorary Pallbearer: Earl Herrera

A visitation for Dr. Henderson will be held Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home, 5400 North St, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965. A graveside service will be held on September 22, 2023, 10:00 AM at Fairview Cemetery for close friends and family with Air Force Honors and Mason rites performed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at casonmonk-metcalf.com for the Henderson family. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Nacogdoches A&M Club Scholarship Fund in memory of Dr. B.W. Henderson. Donations can be made to P.O. Box 631253, Nacogdoches, TX 75963.