John W. "J.W." Henry, Jr.

1933 ∼ 2020

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J.W. Henry, Jr. left this world peacefully on September 10, 2020. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred Lemaire; his daughter, Joanna Leggett; his son, Bert Allen; his father, John Henry, Sr.; his mother, Opal Fairris; his grandson, Martin “T. Wayne” Davenport; and numerous other loved ones.

J.W. is survived by his children, Opal Stifflemire and her husband Glen; Edwina Mattarocci; Mary Bourge and her husband Mitchel; Patrick Henry; and John Henry and his wife Jeanné.

He is also survived by 21 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Born in January 15, 1933 in Dallas, Texas, he was the son of John Henry, Sr. and Opal (Fairris) Henry. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Early in his life, J.W. pursued a career in the professional boxing arena, leaving this profession in 1955 to follow his calling to become an Evangelist for his Lord.

He retired from Local 187 Boilermaker Union, and worked in numerous positions in law enforcement in Orange and Newton County.

A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange. Officiating will be Reverend T. R. Richmond.

Visitations will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sunday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joshua Henry, Wilbert Moore, Bert Henry, Wesley Moore, Phillip Henry, Larry Leggett, John William Henry, III, Benjamin Henry, and Austin Henry. Honorary pallbearers are Micah Moore and Seth Moore.

Condolences

Marion V "Jean" (Lassiter) Herrington September 14, 2020

J.W. spent many hours with my first husband, A. G. Lassiter, and me. He preached at my father-in-law's church in Stowell, TX and would stop by before the night's service. The first time I heard him preach, I was impressed by his testimony of how he came to the Lord. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I send my condolences to the whole family, and I'm sorry that I could not make it to his funeral. I do not drive now and cannot get around very well. May God bless your family with comfort and peace. Marion "Jean" Lassiter Herrington

Kelly Mattarocci September 12, 2020

Pawpaw and I had a rocky start. At our first meeting, he thought Willy and Wes had kidnapped me. He gave them a good tongue lashing. Reality was I was 7+ yrs the elder and had taken them on a joy ride, of course, where we weren’t supposed to be. A few yrs later, Pawpaw called me the devil. My behavior was bad, and I deserved it. I learned a lot of lessons from Pawpaw. Most of the lessons were by watching him live his life in the way he believed deeply, serving the Lord. Over the years, we came to peace and love. RIP Pawpaw Henry. Thank you for the honoring of knowing you, your forgiveness, and your love.

John Derrick September 12, 2020

Grew up knowing J.W. He was a great friend to my mother and father. Lost touch over the years but have never forgotten him especially his smile. He is reunited with John and Sylvia Derrick now and I bet it was a very joyous reunion. John Derrick