Roy W. Hensley

Roy W. Hensley, 81, of Longview, Texas passed away peacefully at home on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15, 2025. He bravely fought cancer for a year. He was born February 22, 1944, to Worley and Wilma Gooch Hensley in Yale, Oklahoma where he was raised and graduated from Yale High School. Roy, from a young age, had a bicycle newspaper route delivering papers every morning before school. He also had a pet squirrel which would sit in the basket while he threw the papers. He also worked at a funeral home after school cleaning and helping. Who would have thought he would be working at a funeral home at the end of his life. Roy served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany for 2 years. Roy worked for Darr Equipment Co./ Holt/Cat Equipment in Longview for 46 years as the parts department manager and he was also in charge of the fleet / vehicles. Roy retired and started working for Rader Funeral Home for the next 16 years. At Rader he was an assistant for all the directors, and again was in charge of all the vehicles, and then finished in the insurance and veterans benefits department helping families of the deceased. He was so good at caring for all the people he encountered and everyone loved him. He always had kind words, a positive attitude on life, and a smile on his face. Roy’s best years were at Rader as he loved his work and all his coworkers. He took great pride in consoling families in their time of grief. His passion was collecting antique model cars as well as going the car shows and estate sales. Roy loved all his dogs. His last dog is 14 ½ year old “Toby Keith” a beautiful white Bichon that kept us laughing, showing off, like an entertainer should. Roy loved him so. Roy was a loving husband and father. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Carl Hensley. Roy is survived by the love of his life, Cathy, his wife for 30 years. Others left to cherish his memory are his son, Bryan and his wife Kristen Hensley of Dallas, TX, son, Brent and his wife, Tara Whatley of Longview, TX, Grandchildren, Emmeline Hensley, Skylar and Teryn Whatley, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be 11 am Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in the Chapel of the Rosewood Park Mausoleum with Dr. Tim Watson officiating under the direction of his friends at Rader Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 am.

Roy W. Hensley

February 22, 1944 - June 15, 2025