Curtis O. Hensley, 96, of Liberty, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Richmond, Indiana. He was born on October 17, 1921, in Grays Knob, Kentucky – the son of Daniel Hensley and Nicie Brittain Hensley.
During World War II, he joined the United States Army in July 1942, where he served under General Patton in the 3rd Army and the 9th Army at the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in Germany and received the Purple Heart. While he was enlisted, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was also awarded three Bronze Stars and a medal for good conduct. He was honorably discharged from the Army in October 1945. Due to his actions in France, he qualified for the French Legion of Honor.
On May 15, 1953, he married his wife, Maxine Powell at First Baptist Church. They were able to enjoy 47 years together before she passed in 2000.
He belonged to the 20 year club at Ford, where he retired in July 1984 after working for Ford and its predecessors for 38 years.
Curtis was a member of the Brownsville Masonic Lodge #70 F&AM, and the D.A.V. He was an avid camper who loved the outdoors and nature. When he was younger, he enjoyed hunting, but as he grew older, he preferred watching the animals and feeding the birds. He was a very compassionate and hard-working person who would do anything he could to help someone who needed it.
He is survived by a daughter, Penny Hensley, of Versailles, KY; three sons, Curtis Lee (wife Pat) Hensley, of Sacramento, CA, Randy A. Hensley, of Liberty, IN, Marty D. (wife Kim) Hensley, of Abington, IN; two step-sons, Omer (wife Patsy) Blakley, of Liberty, IN, and Ronald Blakley, of Hamilton, OH; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Along with his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Opal, who died as a baby; a brother, Marion Hensley; two step-sons, Larry Blakley and Leon Blakley; and a daughter-in-law, Jana Hensley.
Visitation for Curtis will be on Friday, June 22, 2018 from 11:00am until 1:00pm at Urban-Winkler Funeral Home, Connersville. Masonic services presented by Brownsville Lodge #70 F&AM will be at 1:00pm at the funeral home. The funeral service will follow with Reverend James Orr, of Connersville officiating. Military graveside services presented by the Fayette County Honor Guard will be at Dale Cemetery.