George W. "Bill" Henderson, age 87, of Columbus, KS passed away Monday evening (Jan. 7, 2008) at the Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, MO after an illness.

Bill was born April 24, 1920 in Stippville, KS the son of Tom and Millie Ann (Green) Henderson. Bill graduated in 1937 from Cherokee County Community High School, Columbus. Bill operated the D-X Service Station in Columbus, prior to the election where he became the Cherokee County Clerk where he served two terms. He spent 20 years in St Petersburg, FL where he trained and raced Greyhounds. He had the top kennel in his career. He also raced in Mobile, AL and in Wichita, KS retiring in 1990.

Bill was in the US Air Force, as a Tail gunner during WWII.

He was a member of the American Legion in Columbus, KS

Bill married Marjorie Houser, July 1950 in Bentonville, Ark. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include son William Lee Amico of St Peters, MO, son Jim Henderson of the home, a daughter and son-in-law Mary and Bob Epler of rural Columbus, 4 grandchildren Keenan Henderson of Columbus, Chelsea Epler of Lawrence, KS and Chad and Cory Epler of Winfield, KS and 2 step grandchildren Brandon Seitz of Michigan and Brenna Seitz in Iraq. Two nieces Dixie McColm of Columbus and Donna Klinkscales of Coffeyville, KS.

Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 10, 2008) at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus with the Rev. Dan Haggard officiating. Burial will be in the Park Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion of Columbus at the funeral home. Memorials may be left Êfor the First Christian Church in Columbus, KS and may be left or mailed to the Simpson Funeral Home 323 S. Kansas Ave. Columbus, KS.