Knights of Columbus Dallas Diocese Chapter of the Texas State Council | Contact Us
We are sad to report the passing on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 of Sir Knight William “Bill” Henry, who was a beloved member of Council 12300, Mother Teresa Assembly, and St. Anthony Parish of Wylie, at the age of 93.
Bill was a Knight of Columbus for 74 years. Bill entered the order in 1949 at the age of 19 in Seneca, Kansas. His father, uncle, two brothers and many cousins were also Knights. He was a charter member of a council in Roseville, Minnesota. His third Council was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There, Bill was District Deputy and helped to start a university council in Iowa City. He was the Charter Grand Knight of Council 5390 in Marian, Iowa in 1963. He was also a charter member of Council 6065 in Richardson, Texas in 1968. Bill’s wife Jane suggested to name it the “Santa Maria” Council, after the Christopher Columbus flagship. This council has since moved to St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Plano, Texas and from which a new council emerged at nearby St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Plano.
He played a major role in founding St. Anthony Council 12300 in Wylie, Texas 25 years ago alongside Charter Grand Knight SK Charles Lutz and Charter Chaplain SK Fr. Loyd Morris. Bill was also active in the 4th Degree as a Sir Knight of Mother Teresa Assembly, joining in 2004.
Bill and Jane were well known figures at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Wylie. They served the music ministry, leading music at many Masses starting in the 1970s. Jane and Bill also used their professional talents to help in the purchase of various real estate properties that surround St. Anthony Parish in Wylie, St. Joseph in Richardson and St. Mark the Evangelist in Plano, which helped them grow to the size they are today. The Henrys never charged a church any fee for their real estate services.
In 2019, St. Anthony Council 12300 held a dinner and presentation in honor of the 70th Anniversary of Bill’s entry into the Knights of Columbus. The council presented him with a framed certificate and cake acknowledging recognizing his leadership and example, as well as honoring he and Jane’s many contributions in support of their parish communities, acts of service and charity.
Bill was preceded in death by wife, Jane, in June 2020. Together they had raised six children.
Bill was also a decorated veteran of the Korean War. For his service, Sergeant Henry was awarded the Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter Badge, and Good Conduct Medal. He was a founding member of American Legion Hale-Combest Post 315 in Wylie. In October 2021, Bill was honored with a Congressional Veteran Commendation. St. Anthony Council 12300’s first Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity in June 2022, at which Bill was present, was held in his honor.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 with a rosary following at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 9th. Both events will take place at St. Anthony Catholic Parish, 404 N. Ballard Street, Wylie, Texas 75098. Color Corps members of nearby Assemblies have been invited to provide dignity to these events.
Submitted by:
Bryan A. Finley
Captain, Mother Teresa Assembly 2506
District Deputy 103
PGK Council 12300