death of DL F/O William “Bill” G. Henderson, age 62
death flwnwst
~ IN MEMORY ~
Lt. Col., ret./DL F/O William “Bill” G. Henderson
April 20, 1962 – March 10, 2025
As noted in the June-July issue of the Air Line Pilot magazine’s In Memoriam column, the passing of DL
F/O William G. Henderson.
Lt. Colonel William (Bill) George Henderson of Seminole, Fla./ Grosse Pointe Park, MI. took his final flight West and passed away on March 10, 2025, after a brief illness………………….
Bill joined Delta Air Lines 09-11-2017 and was based Detroit.
Bill is survived by his wife Cristi Henderson and their children Nick and Devin.
PCN memorial site https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2025/07/dl-fo-william-bill-g-henderson.html
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/seminole-fl/william-henderson-12281810
Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home & Cemetery
Lt. Colonel William (Bill) George Henderson of Seminole, Fla./ Grosse Pointe Park, MI. took his final flight West and passed away on March 10, 2025, after a brief illness. Bill was born in Madison, Wi. to Philip G. Henderson and Suzanne F. Henderson.
Bill’s childhood years were spent in Geneva, Il. and Richardson, TX before moving to Lake Bluff, IL., where he graduated from Lake Forest High School (1980). As a youth, the family traveled extensively throughout the United States, particularly to our nation’s National Parks and the Big Island, of Hawaii, where the family had a second residence. Bill was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering (1985) and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. From a very young age Bill knew exactly what he wanted to do in life and that was to fly fighter jets.
Bill completed college summer internships at Edwards Air Force Base and worked at the University of Michigan aerospace department lab as a Graduate Student Teaching Aid. After graduation he landed his first post college job at Perceptronics where he was responsible for mathematical modeling of aerodynamics. However, flying was his passion! Bill joined the Michigan Air National Guard and earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant at the Academy of Military Science, Knoxville Tn. After Bill earned his coveted Air Force Pilot Wings, he flew the F-16 the aircraft he would fly in combat in Iraq. During F-16 training, he was recognized as a distinguished graduate earning the “Top Gun Air to Ground Award”. He later went on to fly the A-10 and then the KC-135 USAF aircraft.
Over the next 28 years, Bill (call sign Cujo) dedicated his life to the military. He served multiple overseas deployments including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After the 9/11 attacks he answered the call to defend America flying Air Sovereignty Alert missions during Operation Noble Eagle. Bill and his unit participated in Red Flag, a two- week advanced aerial combat training exercise along with Combat Archer and Combat Warrior live weapons employment testing. Obtaining the rank of Lt. Colonel, his deep respect for his peers and each member of his squadron was on full display when he addressed them for the last time at his retirement ceremony. Bill met his loving wife of 30 years Cristi who served as an Intelligence Specialist in the 107th Fighter Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard.
Bill and Cristi were married in 1994 and became parents to Nicholas “Nick” George and Devin Paul. They enjoyed a spectacular life in both Grosse Pointe Park, MI. and Seminole, FL. Bill always offered steady words of encouragement and enjoyed being his children’s scout master. He was blessed to spend time with his children over the last 7 years while based in Detroit with Delta Air Lines. This was truly one of his most cherished gifts in life.
In 2018, Bill retired from the Michigan Air Guard and started his career as a pilot with Delta Air Lines. Bill’s affable nature and flying experience made the transition to commercial aircraft seamless, and he relished the opportunity to fly across North America. He possessed a wonderful smile and his warm greetings to peers and customers alike made him a valuable member of the Delta family.
Bill’s devotion to God made his sudden departure less painful. He is survived by his wife Cristi Henderson and their children Nick and Devin, his brother Brian (wife Anne) of Nichols Hills Ok, and his sister Karen (husband Tim) of Farmer’s Branch, Tx. He was a celebrated Uncle to David Henderson (wife Morgan) of Dallas, TX. and Lindsey Henderson Shimp (husband Scott) of Dallas, TX. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Philip and Suzanne Henderson of Lake Bluff, IL.
The family wishes to thank his many friends and colleagues, many of whom served with Bill in the military. He was always certain to recognize those around him who contributed to his success, safety, and wellbeing.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Bill’s name can be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation a charity close to his heart.