CECIL “COWBOY” HENSLEY

MYRTLE BEACH, SC

Cecil “Cowboy” Hensley rode into the sunset at 8:16pm on March 25th, 2022, in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was surrounded in his final hours by his loving wife, Sheila Hensley; loyal brother, Bobby Hensley; brother in-law, David Davis; sister in-law, Pat Davis and dutiful son, Shane. Shane was with him till his last breath.

Cecil was born on July 15, 1938, in Cincinnati, Oh., to Elizabeth Ann Bryant Hensley and Montero Hensley. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brothers Hubert Hensley and Tex Dearl Hensley, his beloved Uncle Cooper and wonderful Aunts Janet and Lois, Uncle Walter “Dink” Bryant; Aunts, Agnes and Gladys, and nephew, William “Billy” Schnug.

He is survived by his wife Sheila; son, Shane, his wife Michelle, and their two sons, Caden and Ronan; Uncle James Bryant and children Ted, Paul, and Cathy; cousins, Wallace “Wally” Bryant; “baby” brother, Bobby; his sister, Maxine Bell, her husband Bob and their daughters, Beth, Becky, and Angela; Maxine’s daughter Carol Ann; Tex’s children, Victor and Terry; and other beloved relatives through blood and marriage.

Cecil joined the United States Navy at the young age of 16, lying about his age and eating bananas and potatoes until he passed the weight requirement to get in. He served aboard the USS Tolovana and traveled the South Pacific, exploring exotic ports of call, investigating the battlefields of World War II, and taking part in the 1958 defense of Formosa (Taiwan) where he and others were personally awarded medals by Chiang Chai-shek.

The Navy gave “Cec” a lifetime love of the ocean, which he continued to swim in well after his 80th birthday. He was never afraid to dive deep and come up with some critter, poisonous, toothed, or otherwise, much to his family’s amazement.

After the Navy he joined the United States Army, serving in the Signal Corp in Germany and France. Later, he worked as a firefighter in California, a lineman for the railroad, an electrician, and many other varied jobs around the country.

Cecil joined the Masons in Virginia, becoming a member of the Knights Templar Commandery and a Shriner. He ran blood drives, helped burn victims, and greatly enjoyed the camaraderie of his companions.

Cecil loved life, a good meal, cake, diving with his best friend Farris, and history. He had a wild and wonderful sense of humor and was always the center of attention in any group of friends or family. He loved to play the guitar, sing, and walk in the sunshine or on the beach.

Cecil chose to be cremated without services, but the family plans to hold a memorial in his honor in their long-time hometown of Clintwood this summer.