James Wayne Hensley

Leicester - James Wayne Hensley, 87, of 201 Dix Creek Road #1, died Thursday June 5, 2003 at Memorial Mission Hospital after an extended illness. A native of Madison County, he lived most of his life in Buncombe County and was of the Baptist Faith. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army having served with Co. A, 28th Sig Bn, Sig Corps. He participated in three invasions, North Africa, Sicily ant Italy and was an expert marksman in the Ranger Division. He was a musician most of his life and played on Vaudeville in NY City and had a family band in his later years. He was a man who believed in his country, his freedom and in always telling things just like they were. He was a son of the late Ephrim and Etta Mathis Hensley and the husband of the late Lessie Ruby Holcombe Hensley who died in 1990. He was also preceded in death by a son, James Carroll Hensley. Surviving are his sons; Larry Hensley and wife Doris of Asheville, Billy Hensley and wife Barbara of Hendersonville and Buddy Hensley and wife Shirley of the home; daughter, Pat Buckner and husband Ray of Asheville; brother, Rev. William Hensley of Ocala, Fl., 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Young officiating. Burial will be in Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery with Wayne Hensley, Paul Hensley, Bryan Franklin, Jake Buckner, Travis Williams and Steve Butler serving as pallbearers. Military honors will be conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Volunteer Memorial Team.