Frank Luther Henley was born on May 24, 1919, to John Moore Henley and Dorothy (Shell) Henley at Hay, Washington. He was the oldest of 5 children.
His heritage was the mountains of North Carolina with strong opinions which some would describe as downright stubborn and a little moonshine.
Although his mother, who was genteel, tried to subdue some of that "tar heel" blood. It was debatable how successful she was. He grew up in the era of big farm families where hard work was a given, your word and handshake were your bonds. Doors were always open and never locked. You watched out for and helped your neighbor and they did the same for you.
Frank's version of meeting his future wife Helen: "I was coming up one side of the church steps and she was coming up the opposite side and she promptly took my arm and marched me down the aisle."
They eloped to St. Maries, ID on May 3, 1941.
Four girls were born to their union Linda Harriet (Don) Hansen, Jennifer Ann (Dave) Perkins, Lois Marie, who died at birth, and Doris May (Jim) Hiebert.
People often expressed sadness for him having all girls. Personally, I think he loved all the attention. This was the period where men were strong and rarely showed emotions but none of us ever doubted his love. He would always let us tag along, crawl under a car, slip our hand in his which always felt so big and strong.
The church was always a part of our life growing up but it wasn't until mid-life Frank accepted Jesus as his Lord.
Frank was always mechanical and not so fond of horses. We have one picture of him on a horse and laugh trying to decide which looked the most miserable.
He was the "go-to" man of the community. Calm in a crisis.
While he was just a teen was elected to drive a woman in labor to the hospital 40 miles away. He reports every time she yelled he would just step harder on the gas, they made it and she didn't deliver for another day or two.
Frank and his cousin Tyke Curtis were in the Hay Fire Department, before OSHA. Tyke could tell some hair-raising tales of riding on the front while running with the wheat fire. And as chief, he performed every little boy's dream of burning down the schoolhouse when the school was closed.
Frank added fiberglassing to his skills and there are still a few CAT crawlers with a Henley cab. His pride and joy were building and flying an amphibious plane, a Taylor Coot. He entered it in the Whitman county fair winning a Grand Prize ribbon.
Somewhere around 1989 Frank and Helen moved to Newport to be closer to their daughter, Doris. Initially, Helen would come for the summer and stay in the motor home. Frank would return to Hay to work for his nephew Randy Henley. He felt a kinship to the land where he grew up.
He built a shop so he could tinker and Helen transformed the outside with flowers.
On Feb 23, 2004, after 62 years together Helen went to her Lord and Savior leaving us instructions to find him a wife.
Doris had the unique experience of counseling Frank on dating.
Over the years Elizabeth Watson became not only a wonderful loving friend to Frank but to all the family as well. She has become a part of our family.
On Feb 7, 2015, Frank, at the age of 95 joined Helen in heaven surrounded by his loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Henley, 2 brothers John Henley Jr., and Don Henley, his wife Helen, and infant daughter Lois.
Sherman Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services
http://www.sherman-knapp.com/obituary/2962384
Contributor: CJS1949 (49214973)
His heritage was the mountains of North Carolina with strong opinions which some would describe as downright stubborn and a little moonshine.
Although his mother, who was genteel, tried to subdue some of that "tar heel" blood. It was debatable how successful she was. He grew up in the era of big farm families where hard work was a given, your word and handshake were your bonds. Doors were always open and never locked. You watched out for and helped your neighbor and they did the same for you.
Frank's version of meeting his future wife Helen: "I was coming up one side of the church steps and she was coming up the opposite side and she promptly took my arm and marched me down the aisle."
They eloped to St. Maries, ID on May 3, 1941.
Four girls were born to their union Linda Harriet (Don) Hansen, Jennifer Ann (Dave) Perkins, Lois Marie, who died at birth, and Doris May (Jim) Hiebert.
People often expressed sadness for him having all girls. Personally, I think he loved all the attention. This was the period where men were strong and rarely showed emotions but none of us ever doubted his love. He would always let us tag along, crawl under a car, slip our hand in his which always felt so big and strong.
The church was always a part of our life growing up but it wasn't until mid-life Frank accepted Jesus as his Lord.
Frank was always mechanical and not so fond of horses. We have one picture of him on a horse and laugh trying to decide which looked the most miserable.
He was the "go-to" man of the community. Calm in a crisis.
While he was just a teen was elected to drive a woman in labor to the hospital 40 miles away. He reports every time she yelled he would just step harder on the gas, they made it and she didn't deliver for another day or two.
Frank and his cousin Tyke Curtis were in the Hay Fire Department, before OSHA. Tyke could tell some hair-raising tales of riding on the front while running with the wheat fire. And as chief, he performed every little boy's dream of burning down the schoolhouse when the school was closed.
Frank added fiberglassing to his skills and there are still a few CAT crawlers with a Henley cab. His pride and joy were building and flying an amphibious plane, a Taylor Coot. He entered it in the Whitman county fair winning a Grand Prize ribbon.
Somewhere around 1989 Frank and Helen moved to Newport to be closer to their daughter, Doris. Initially, Helen would come for the summer and stay in the motor home. Frank would return to Hay to work for his nephew Randy Henley. He felt a kinship to the land where he grew up.
He built a shop so he could tinker and Helen transformed the outside with flowers.
On Feb 23, 2004, after 62 years together Helen went to her Lord and Savior leaving us instructions to find him a wife.
Doris had the unique experience of counseling Frank on dating.
Over the years Elizabeth Watson became not only a wonderful loving friend to Frank but to all the family as well. She has become a part of our family.
On Feb 7, 2015, Frank, at the age of 95 joined Helen in heaven surrounded by his loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Henley, 2 brothers John Henley Jr., and Don Henley, his wife Helen, and infant daughter Lois.
Sherman Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services
http://www.sherman-knapp.com/obituary/2962384
Contributor: CJS1949 (49214973)
Frank Luther Henley was born on May 24, 1919, to John Moore Henley and Dorothy (Shell) Henley at Hay, Washington. He was the oldest of 5 children.
His heritage was the mountains of North Carolina with strong opinions which some would describe as downright stubborn and a little moonshine.
Although his mother, who was genteel, tried to subdue some of that "tar heel" blood. It was debatable how successful she was. He grew up in the era of big farm families where hard work was a given, your word and handshake were your bonds. Doors were always open and never locked. You watched out for and helped your neighbor and they did the same for you.
Frank's version of meeting his future wife Helen: "I was coming up one side of the church steps and she was coming up the opposite side and she promptly took my arm and marched me down the aisle."
They eloped to St. Maries, ID on May 3, 1941.
Four girls were born to their union Linda Harriet (Don) Hansen, Jennifer Ann (Dave) Perkins, Lois Marie, who died at birth, and Doris May (Jim) Hiebert.
People often expressed sadness for him having all girls. Personally, I think he loved all the attention. This was the period where men were strong and rarely showed emotions but none of us ever doubted his love. He would always let us tag along, crawl under a car, slip our hand in his which always felt so big and strong.
The church was always a part of our life growing up but it wasn't until mid-life Frank accepted Jesus as his Lord.
Frank was always mechanical and not so fond of horses. We have one picture of him on a horse and laugh trying to decide which looked the most miserable.
He was the "go-to" man of the community. Calm in a crisis.
While he was just a teen was elected to drive a woman in labor to the hospital 40 miles away. He reports every time she yelled he would just step harder on the gas, they made it and she didn't deliver for another day or two.
Frank and his cousin Tyke Curtis were in the Hay Fire Department, before OSHA. Tyke could tell some hair-raising tales of riding on the front while running with the wheat fire. And as chief, he performed every little boy's dream of burning down the schoolhouse when the school was closed.
Frank added fiberglassing to his skills and there are still a few CAT crawlers with a Henley cab. His pride and joy were building and flying an amphibious plane, a Taylor Coot. He entered it in the Whitman county fair winning a Grand Prize ribbon.
Somewhere around 1989 Frank and Helen moved to Newport to be closer to their daughter, Doris. Initially, Helen would come for the summer and stay in the motor home. Frank would return to Hay to work for his nephew Randy Henley. He felt a kinship to the land where he grew up.
He built a shop so he could tinker and Helen transformed the outside with flowers.
On Feb 23, 2004, after 62 years together Helen went to her Lord and Savior leaving us instructions to find him a wife.
Doris had the unique experience of counseling Frank on dating.
Over the years Elizabeth Watson became not only a wonderful loving friend to Frank but to all the family as well. She has become a part of our family.
On Feb 7, 2015, Frank, at the age of 95 joined Helen in heaven surrounded by his loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Henley, 2 brothers John Henley Jr., and Don Henley, his wife Helen, and infant daughter Lois.
Sherman Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services
http://www.sherman-knapp.com/obituary/2962384
Contributor: CJS1949 (49214973)
His heritage was the mountains of North Carolina with strong opinions which some would describe as downright stubborn and a little moonshine.
Although his mother, who was genteel, tried to subdue some of that "tar heel" blood. It was debatable how successful she was. He grew up in the era of big farm families where hard work was a given, your word and handshake were your bonds. Doors were always open and never locked. You watched out for and helped your neighbor and they did the same for you.
Frank's version of meeting his future wife Helen: "I was coming up one side of the church steps and she was coming up the opposite side and she promptly took my arm and marched me down the aisle."
They eloped to St. Maries, ID on May 3, 1941.
Four girls were born to their union Linda Harriet (Don) Hansen, Jennifer Ann (Dave) Perkins, Lois Marie, who died at birth, and Doris May (Jim) Hiebert.
People often expressed sadness for him having all girls. Personally, I think he loved all the attention. This was the period where men were strong and rarely showed emotions but none of us ever doubted his love. He would always let us tag along, crawl under a car, slip our hand in his which always felt so big and strong.
The church was always a part of our life growing up but it wasn't until mid-life Frank accepted Jesus as his Lord.
Frank was always mechanical and not so fond of horses. We have one picture of him on a horse and laugh trying to decide which looked the most miserable.
He was the "go-to" man of the community. Calm in a crisis.
While he was just a teen was elected to drive a woman in labor to the hospital 40 miles away. He reports every time she yelled he would just step harder on the gas, they made it and she didn't deliver for another day or two.
Frank and his cousin Tyke Curtis were in the Hay Fire Department, before OSHA. Tyke could tell some hair-raising tales of riding on the front while running with the wheat fire. And as chief, he performed every little boy's dream of burning down the schoolhouse when the school was closed.
Frank added fiberglassing to his skills and there are still a few CAT crawlers with a Henley cab. His pride and joy were building and flying an amphibious plane, a Taylor Coot. He entered it in the Whitman county fair winning a Grand Prize ribbon.
Somewhere around 1989 Frank and Helen moved to Newport to be closer to their daughter, Doris. Initially, Helen would come for the summer and stay in the motor home. Frank would return to Hay to work for his nephew Randy Henley. He felt a kinship to the land where he grew up.
He built a shop so he could tinker and Helen transformed the outside with flowers.
On Feb 23, 2004, after 62 years together Helen went to her Lord and Savior leaving us instructions to find him a wife.
Doris had the unique experience of counseling Frank on dating.
Over the years Elizabeth Watson became not only a wonderful loving friend to Frank but to all the family as well. She has become a part of our family.
On Feb 7, 2015, Frank, at the age of 95 joined Helen in heaven surrounded by his loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Henley, 2 brothers John Henley Jr., and Don Henley, his wife Helen, and infant daughter Lois.
Sherman Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services
http://www.sherman-knapp.com/obituary/2962384
Contributor: CJS1949 (49214973)
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
