James D. "Jim" HENSON

March 28, 1944 ~ February 1, 2009

Mr. James Dallas "Jim" Henson passed away Sunday afternoon, February 1, 2009, at his Farmington residence, surrounded by his family at the age of 64 years, 4 months & 3 days. Although Jim was taken too soon, we are comforted in knowing that he is with God. Jim was born March 28, 1944, in East Prairie, MO., to Martin Henson & Sylvia 'Rogers' Henson. Also preceding in death was his father-in-law, Hubert Woolsey, of Mtn. View, MO.

Jim was married to Beverly Woolsey on June 20, 1981, in Mtn. View, MO. To this union one child was born, James Dustin Henson.

Jim was a longtime member and officer of Laborers Local #110 in St. Louis & served as Business Manager of the Eastern Missouri Laborers District Council for many years. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge #132 AF/AM, of Farmington and was a Moolah Shriner. Jim was St. Francois County Presiding Commissioner for six years until he recently resigned his position for health reasons. Jim loved St. Francois County and proudly served its citizens with dedication, honor and integrity. Jim was a member of the Solid Rock Family Church and put his faith and trust in God throughout his life.

Survivors Include : his wife, Beverly 'Woolsey' Henson, of the home; 2 Sons: Dustin Henson, of Farmington and James Henson and wife, Lynn, of Tennessee. 1 Daughter: Spring Gray and husband, Ricky, of Park Hills; 5 Grandchildren: Karl and Aubrey Henson & Tory; Avary & Libby Gray; 2 Brothers: Paul Henson and wife, Frances, of Sikeston, MO; Bud Henson and wife, Paula, of Christopher, IL; 4 Sisters: Margie Stanley and Joyce Snyder and husband, Bobby, of Winnsboro, TX; Barbara Thomas of Cowpen, SC; Bonne Dale, of Fulton, MO; Mother-in-Law: Pauline Woolsey, of Mtn. View, MO; Brother-in-Law: Bill Woolsey and wife Karen, of The Colony, TX. Also surviving are a host of Nieces; Nephews; other Relatives & Friends.

Visitation : Thursday, 5-9 p.m., with a MASONIC SERVICE @ 7 pm. Visitation resumes Friday @ 6:30 a.m.

Funeral : Friday, 1:00 p.m., Feb. 6, 2009,

at : TAYLOR Funeral Service CHAPEL, with Rev. Darryl Rhodes officiating.

Interment : Hillview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Farmington.

Memorials to: * St. Francois Co. "Relay for Life" &/or * Vitas Hospice.

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Guestbook

  1. Sincere sympathy from my family to yours. I don't believe I ever met your husband and father nor anyone in the family but know of his service to the community and appreciate his efforts. We shall pray for you during this most difficult time and in the days to come. We know all too well the void you are feeling. It was 10 years today that we buried my husband and we still miss him terribly. Hold fast the memories because unlike this loss you are feeling those can never be taken from you. God Bless

  2. Bev and Dustin, I hope God gets you thru this with comfort. I am relieved to hear that your wonderful husband and father is at peace. Your family has something special and it saddens me that such a wonderful family has to struggle with this but please know you were blessed with each and every day together and hold that in your hearts forever. Bev, you had something special with Jim and you were both so lucky to have such wonderful spouses. Dustin, I have heard how wonderful you have been as a son and I hope God Blesses you all through this tough time.

  3. Bev, I am so sorry for your loss. I am so proud of all that Jim accomplished and as a St. Francois County employee I am grateful for all he did for us. But what I most admired about Jim is the great love he had for you. I will never forget the spark in his eyes when he twirled you on the dance floor (Senior's dance at Bismarck) or the tenderness when he looked at you while you were both singing that night. You are a blessed woman to have had such a wonderful love in your life. You and your family are in our prayers.

  4. We are so sad to hear this news. Randy and I have enjoyed Jims business and friendship for many years. You have our thoughts and prayers with your family. Sincerely Randy and Sharon

  5. There are no words to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. Jim was a wonderful man and a good friend. He will be missed by many and all who had the honor of knowing him. Our prayers are with you.He's run a good race and God has said "Well done my good and faithful servant."

  6. Dusty, I am so sorry for your loss, yet relieved that your father is now in the greatest place on earth. As a cancer patient, I must say your dad was TOUGH and fought a battle that some just don't. You have been such a wonderful son, and everyone knows that. If you or your family needs anything in this time of need, just call. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love You, Sarah

  7. To Bev and Dusty, I hope you are both doing ok. I hope you can find some peace in knowing he is in a much better place. To Spring, Your father was a great man and very proud of his family and grand babies. I hope in the future people will share with his grand daughters about what a great man and proud grandpa he was. To you, I know you are going through some of the most tough times right now. Things will get better. I am so very proud of you for facing the things you have in the past year. God picked the right person to take on all of those issues. Hopefully your dad can speak to God for us and help him make Libby better. You all have a angel watching over you now. I love you very much! ashley

  8. Spring- I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a great man and will be missed. If you or your girls need anything let me know.

  9. Bev you and Dustin are in our prayers. It was an honored to work with Jim. He was very nice to anyone and everyone. You and Dustin should feel honored to have someone in your life like, Jim. I could tell that he loved you very much and you can't find love like that. Love, Jim and Pat Iahn

  10. It is with regret that miles and time separate family at time such as these. I have few childhood memories of Uncle Jim but remember his name being brought up at gatherings from time to time . Always with fondness. I thank God that he grants us opportunities like we had a few years ago when I met Uncle Jim again at Uncle Bud's home. I know it ment a great deal to Mom and she still talks about her trip out there. She is doing well and is taking all this about as well as anyone could expect…I know she is often taken aback with happiness when she talks about all her brothers and sisters. We cannot be there in body, but our prayers are with you all. God Bless!!!

  11. Jim was a wonderful man that will truly be missed by all of those who were fortunate enough to know him. Bev, you are in my thoughts and in my prayers. May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead.

  12. Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.

  13. My prayers are with you. Words can not describe how I feel about Jim and Bev, Jim will be missed by some many. Bev, I remember you telling us how Jim would like to ride his motorcycle, now he is where he can ride all the time. God bless you Bev.

  14. My Brother, Jim When I met him, he was a quiet man. My sister told us that his name was Jim. When they married our family took to him, but I don't think he knew what he was getting in. Through the years their love stood strong and fast, and I knew that their marriage would always last. Also, through those years he became my ver good friend. We was no longer "Brother-in-laws"; we was brothers, me and Jim. He gave my sister his undying love, and he fit our family just like a glove. He has been there for me through thick and thin, and I knew that if I needed him, he would've been there again. Now he's gone and it's a very sad day. To put what he means to me into words, is very hard to say. But anyone that knows me, knows my dad was my hero, my ver best friend, and running a very close second was my brother, Jim. Your little brother, Bill Woolsey

  15. Spring: Our prayers go out to you and your family. We know how hard this is and wish you and yours the very best. Keep your head and your smile on, cause . . . "You Know Why!!!"

  16. Aunt Beverly and family, I did not have the opportunity to spend much time with Uncle Jim but I will always remember him as a man of honor and conviction. The word of God tells in the book of Matthew 5:4, that God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. In the book of Psalms 119:28, we can pray these words: "my soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word". Take these passages to heart wtih your assurance that the Lord is always with you and remember that the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever(1 John 2:17). I will keep you in my prayers. Your Niece, Sandra (Henson) Robinson

  17. To Aunt Bev and Dusty, I pray that you both are doing o.k. I know this must be hard for you both, but with sometime it will get a little better. I really didn't get the opportunity to get to know two amazing men, Pa Pa and Uncle Jim. I have heard so many wonderful stories about them both. I hope I get to hear more stories of them from both of you. I know you will keep them always close to your hearts and remember memories will never leave you, they just make you stronger. I hope you two stay strong though this tough time and if you need anything at all please call me and let me know. Baby Tyler and I send hugs and kisses from both of us to you. God Bless you both.

  18. To Bev: Losing someone who you've been with most all of your life, who you've grown with, and shared both good times and bad, it's a loss to your own soul. All the pieces of your heart and soul seem to shatter into thousands of tiny pieces that may appear impossible to pick up again, or at all. But, with time, and a lot of love from those you're closest to, the pieces will be recollected. Yes, like all things broken, there will always be traces of what was. Those are the things you never want to forget, bittersweet as they are, for they mean so much. Through as much time as it takes, we will be here for you-a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or whatever it is you need of us; we'll be here. I can still remember, being a little girl and hearing Jim's name mentioned by my dad and getting confused between him and the creator of the Muppets. I'll never forget how often and highly my dad spoke of him. Jim was a good, fair man with a quiet and regal nature to him. He knew what did or did not need to be done in every aspect of life. I don't think there was a person who knew him that had anything but honor and respect for him. He will be greatly missed by so many.

  19. Aunt Bev and Dust, I love you so much. I can imagine how tough things are right now. I wish there was some more I could do for you. Uncle Jim was a great man. I will never forget the good times we had with him and I know you won't either. Love always Mike

  20. Jim was one hell of a man, I have alot of memories of him, he helped me out a few times in life when i really needed it, He will be greatly missed. Never gone he will always be in my heart. Bev and Dustin, love u guys, will never forget the things you've done for me, Love u, Chuck Allen

  21. To Bev, I love you and you are in my thoughts and prayers. I miss my brother; even tho the miles apart kept us from seeing each very much I knew he was there and now he isn't. I know he is in heaven with Jesus and momma and that is what comforts me knowing that someday we will all be reunited in that place where there is no pain and no tears – only joy of true happiness. Please remember that I am here for you; day or night so if you ever want to just talk – pick up that phone and call. Give your mom and Dusty a big hug for me. I love you all.

  22. Hello, My name is Willis Nowell. I am a great nephew of Sylvia Henson. My grandmother was Ann Wilkerson, Sylvia's sister(My mother is Arzell Quinn, who is Ann Wilkerson's daughter). My Uncle (Sherman Wilkerson) sent this web address to me. I am very sorry to hear about Jim. I was away at our Laborer's Training facility when I learned of Jim's passing. I know nothing I say can change anything, but I wanted to say how proud I am of Jim. I am a Laborer, as was he, in Local #362 in Bloomington, IL. I live in Mclean(small town 15 miles southwest of there. I watched the video tribute and enjoyed it very much. Thank you so much for sharing all the family pictures and the pictures of Jim's proud involvement in our Union and his community involvement. His dedication and commitment to his family and his Union(family there too)and community is very evident in the video tribute. I am very proud of Jim too. I saw the picture of Jim with Ed Smith(former vice president of our International Union)and all of the other pictures of him indicating his Union involvement and community service, and can identify with all of that very much. Again, my condolences and my thanks for sharing all of this. Willis Nowell 505 W, Carlisle St. Mclean, IL 61754 Ph. 309-874-3365

  23. the family chain has lost another link; we have a blessed hope, that our chain will be linked once again when we all gather at the portlas of heaven. Jim ,you were a wounderful brother and friend.your earthly presance is no longer here with us;but your memories and words of wisdom will remain with me always.


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