William Edward Henley - Pam's Son

This blog is to remember my son's life.

Heading for Fort Riley, Kansas

When Billy graduated from Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky in October of 1996, he received his orders to report to his home base at Fort Riley, Kansas. On the 31st of October, I drove him to his base.

We left about 4:00 a.m. from Rogersville, Missouri, where he was staying with his Grandma Betty Blevins. We took Highway 174 to Mt. Vernon. On the way there, he was slumped down in the passenger seat, sleeping, and I had the radio on. Just before we arrived at the Turnback Creek bridge, the National Anthem came on the radio.

Now, I had brought my son up to respect the music of our country and the flag and that was deeply ingrained in him. However, the United States Army must have done an excellent job also.

Remember, my son was sleeping. When he slept, he slept very well. When the Anthem came on, he slid upright in his seat, took his hat off, saluted, ramrod straight, (never opened his eyes) during the entire song, and when it was over, put his hat back on and slid back down in his seat. He was still asleep!

That is patriotism at it's finest! I wished I had a camera at that moment. However, I was driving and the thought came to me that I wouldn't see him again like that. I would never drive him somewhere in my car again.

I was, and still am, so very proud of my son.

William Edward Henley - Birth Information

William Edward Henley.
Information at time of birth: July 18, 1978
Maternal Grandparents: Betty L. Blevins and Wayne E. Smith
Maternal Great Grandparents: Ethel and Homer A. Smith
Paternal Grandparents: Douglas and Betty Henley
Uncles: Randy Henley and Jeff Henley

Lived on Arlington Avenue in Independence, Missouri.

William Edward Henley - post 6.22.06.3

It is sometimes very hard to remember that Billy is no longer on this earth. At times it seems that he is very close, as he is, in my heart.

I may jump around a bit in my memories of him. At some point I will try to sort it all out. I feel that it is important to get these things down before I forget or something happens to me.

When Billy was 1 year old he received a big "foot" car. He loved scooting all over the floor with it. It was a blue tennis shoe with orange wheels. He was doing fine until it flipped backwards with him and he bumped his head on the hardwood floor. He cried big tears but he really didn't hit hard. It just scared him and it happened so fast.

He was up and going again after a hug from Mommy and a kiss on his head.

When Billy as just learning to talk he went to Springfield with his Grandma and Grandpa. As they were passing this one store, he piped up, "K-Mart". Grandma was so surprised and commented, "He's learning to read! I can't believe it! He is so young. I knew he was smarter than most!"

I really hated to burst her bubble, but had to tell her he watched the commercials on t.v. and was used to seeing the K-Mart logo...just like McDonald's.

We had such a good laugh over that one.

When Billy was around three or four, he would get rather rambunctious in the house (as three and four year old boys will do). If the weather was nice and we were at Grandma's house, we would tell him to go outside and run around the flower bed in the yard. He would go out and run and run and run till he fell down and the dog licked his face. His laughter would fill the air.

He was my sunshine.

Let me start at the beginning.

My son was born July 18, 1978 in Kansas City Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri. His father's name is Douglas Wayne Henley.

Before my son was born, I "knew" that I would outlive him. No, nothing was wrong with him. In fact, he was perfect! I had been given the knowledge that I would outlive him. Why? Only God knows. Maybe, so that I would appreciate every single moment of his life. I did.

I loved him as much as any one person could possibly love another. And, I know, he loved me.

When he was fourteen months old, his father left me for another woman. How many times have you heard that? I would stay home for every holiday, Billy's birthday, etc., hoping that he would call and talk to his son. After about two years of this, I decided it was time to get on with life and did.

Billy wasn't perfect...but he was a wonderful child. And cute....okay, so I'm a mother who thinks her child is the best looking in the world.

There were many wonderful moments that I hold dear to my heart. Like when he was two and we were having problems with him keeping his hands off the television controls. His little hands were spanked so many times. However, when I looked into the living room one time when it was way too quiet, I saw him standing in front of the t.v. He started to raise his hand towards the knobs, then put it down. He did this several times, not realizing that I was watching him. He finally did that "straight leg sit" that only a baby can do and said "No No!" very emphatically. I was so proud of him and he was so cute. If only I had a video camera to have captured that day.

He named a little kitten we had around that time. I had made the comment that the kitten looked like it was chocolate colored. Billy couldn't quite stop when he got his tongue around that word and the kitten became "Chocolata-lata-lata".

This is the first posting for my new blog.

I will be sharing things about my son, William Edward Henley, (who died 9 years ago).

Maybe some of you knew him.