Wallace (Wally) Carl Henderson
Wallace (Wally) Carl Henderson, 90, passed away peacefully at home after a long and courageous battle with thrombocytopenia and Parkinson’s disease.
He was a member of Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville. Born Feb. 12, 1935, in Lake City, Wallace was the son of the late John Carl and Maude Wallace Henderson.
He spent his childhood in Lake City and Andersonville, where he especially enjoyed time with his maternal grandparents. A proud graduate of Lake City High School’s Class of 1953, Wallace went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army, including active duty in Germany from 1958 to 1960. Following his military service, he built a distinguished career spanning more than three decades with Union Carbide and its predecessor, Martin Marietta Energy Systems.
Wallace was a man of integrity and character. He deeply cherished his family and was always looking for meaningful ways to honor and support those he loved — as well as countless others. Known by many as a “perfect Southern gentleman,” he found his greatest joy in time spent with his children and grandchildren. He loved fishing, cooking, gardening and traveling, and he especially treasured family beach trips. He was also an active member and past president of the Volunteer Travelers Square Dance Group for many years.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret “Margie” Henderson; parents, John and Maude Henderson; sister, Martha Jean Henderson; and brothers-in-law, James Boatman (Sue) and Don Carver (Yoshiko).
He is survived by his daughter, Susan Tackett and husband, Alan, of Clinton; son, Jeff Wallace and wife, Martie, of Powell; grandchildren, Greg Tackett and wife, Missy, of Jacksboro, Monica Farner and husband, Glenn, of Nashville, and Lauren Frye and husband, Chad, of Clinton; great-grandchildren, Emily and Seth Tackett, William and Anna Grace Farner, and Landon and Aiden Brown; and sisters-in-law, Sue Boatman of Clinton and Yoshiko Carver of Powell.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Nicole Farrell and Goldie Byrge for their loving care and unwavering dedication throughout Wallace’s — and his former wife’s — illnesses. Special thanks also go to nurses Dee Dee, Sharon and Lynn, and to Amedisys Hospice for their compassionate service.
The family received friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Holley- Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton. A graveside service followed at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
holleygamble.com