Sabattus, Maine – William E. Henshaw, born September 30, 1931, passed peacefully and quietly on July 22, 2023, at VA Togus Hospice in the company of family after seven months of in-home hospice with his daughter Susan.
Born in Taunton, Massachusetts, to Wilford B. and Grace (Haines) Henshaw, he was a graduate of Taunton High School, Class of 1950. He married his wife Helen Louise (Porter) Henshaw in 1952 and together they raised six children.
In 1950, he entered the United States Army at Fort Dix, NJ; he was deployed to Korea during the Korean War, and was also stationed at Fort Bliss, TX, Beale AFB, CA, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Germany.
He served as an artilleryman in the 1st Cavalry, 61st Field Artillery Battalion, and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat when the Chinese crossed the Yalu River. He was Honorably discharged from the Army in 1959 at the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Bill and his family traveled in the Army then lived in Abington and Whitman, Massachusetts. Later he and his wife moved to Sabattus, Maine to live with his daughter Susan, and they were snowbirds in Holiday and New Port Richey, Florida.
After his service in the US Army, he worked for the North Abington Post Office, Farm Bureau, and Wes-Pine before beginning his career at New England Art Publishers (NEAP) in Abington. He worked in several positions before retiring in 1997. Mr. Bill loved his NEAP family.
In his retirement in Maine, Bill drove veterans for the DAV for over 5 years, traveling all over Central Maine to make sure they got to their appointments. He served as Adjutant for the DAV for several years. He also held an officer position in the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Bill was always involved, from his membership in the Knights of King Arthur in his youth in Taunton to in later life enjoying square dancing; he was active in the Republican Party, his Church, and served as a Selectman in the Town of Sabattus.
Bill was a proud member of DAV Post 1, Augusta, and American Legion Harry J. Conway Post 135 in Sabattus, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and 61st Field Artillery Association. One highlight of his life was a trip with Honor Flight Maine to see the Military Memorials in Washington D.C. with his son Scott.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, his beloved Louise, his brothers Wilford, Walter and Raymond and his sister Phyllis Phillips. He is survived by two brothers, Wayne, and Ernie, and three sisters, Jaqueline Medas, Sarah Bullen and Rosemarie Manganaro. His six children also survive: sons William, Bruce, and Scott (Noreen) and daughters Susan (Amedeo) Lauria, Kathryn Joubert and Wendy (Phil) Reichert. Bill was proud Papa to ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and three great-great- granddaughters. He was also proud of his many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend thanks to the Togus VA, his VA caregiver, and to the staff of Beacon Hospice for their amazing support during his life, and as he transitioned to the next life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Sabattus American Legion Post 135, PO Box 392, Sabattus, ME 04280 or Maine DAV at VARO - Medical Center, P.O. Box 3151, Augusta, ME 04330-3151.
Family and friends are invited to attend his visiting hours on Monday, July 31, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, MA. He will be laid to rest following the service with his wife Louise at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Abington, MA.