WILLIAM HENRY
1928 – 2024
William “Bill” Henry was born on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 1928, in Detroit Michigan and passed peacefully on January 7th, 2024, in Bishop, California in his sleep at the age of 9T. Bill and his wife Jackie were married for 69 years and had four children: Sue Martin, Joni Plaehn, Gary Henry, and Diane Walsh.
Over his life he enjoyed gymnastics, surfing, snorkeling, water skiing, snow skiing, sailing, fishing, hiking, camping, and golfing. He volunteered for the ‘ltadena Mountain qescue seam for 10 years. ‘fter attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, he was the assistant Scoutmaster for sroop T in Pasadena and sroop 4 in ka Jolla. Bill and Jackie spent the last 40 years living first in Mammoth kakes and finally Bishop.
Bill was a true adventurer and outdoorsman and loved to share it with everyone. He had a positive impact on hundreds of peoples’ lives through his school teaching, private summer day camps, ski trips, and 11Lday High Sierra pack trips out of June kake, where the packers still refer to “Bill Henry’s” campground. He always had a positive attitude, an earLtoLear grin, a contagious laugh, and a twinkle in his eye. Everywhere he went he made instant friends and if you are reading this, you could be one of them!
Bill loved teaching 6th grade in the Pasadena and San Diego school districts for R0 years. In his classrooms, he always had a fish tank or a terrarium with snakes, lizards, tarantulas, etc. He taught students to appreciate and respect all creatures.
In his summer day camps, he introduced kids to archery, riflery, horseback riding, swimming, and how to enjoy the outdoors. During winter and spring breaks he taught kids how to snow ski. He snow skied from age 14 to 87. In the 1940s’ he rode McGee Mountain’s first permanent rope tow in the Eastern Sierra set up by Dave McCoy. Dave would also take him and other skiers up to Mammoth Mountain on a snow cat when all they had at this time was a rope tow.
He loved to share stories of his wild adventures and of many interesting things in his collections of animal skulls, rocks, insects, and old bottles. Being born on St. Patrick’s Day, he always seemed to have the luck of the Irish. If you ever had the opportunity to go exploring with him it was always like a treasure hunt, trying to find that “Pot of Gold”!
Bill Henry’s optimistic, helpful, and kind nature made the world a better place. It was a privilege to have known him, and we’ll try to pay it forward. He was a great man who will be truly missed by all.