Sam Houston Henson Obituary (1926

Sam Houston "Buster" Henson, age 92, of Austin passed away peacefully on July 31, 2018. Sam was born in Rowena, TX on April 10, 1926. He was raised in Gouldbusk, Texas where he assisted his father with farming operations. At the age of 18 he was drafted into the Army on Sept. 8, 1944. During WWII he drove an M-4 Sherman with Patton's famed tank corps in the last months of the war before occupying Berlin from July 1945 to 1946. As an MP he helped guard the famous Checkpoint Charlie. When he returned from war he began working at the brick plant in Brownwood. He met and married the love of his life, Connie Beth Woods, in 1953. Sam and Connie lived in Brownwood and Abilene while raising their family before deciding to move to Austin in 1967. After moving to Austin he became an Ironworker, doing the ironwork in many of the large structures seen in Austin's skyline today. When Sam retired from Ironworking he decided to stay home with Connie and help her with her home day-care business. Granny & Pa raised many kids, touched many hearts, taught many lessons - all while working side by side: she watching her soap operas and him listening to her soap operas, while reading the Louis L'amour westerns that he loved so much. Sam was always a "hands on Dad" with his boys as they were growing up; spending time at the lake many weekends taking them skiing, fishing, tubing, or camping. He supported them in band, baseball, and yes, even bull-riding; making every event he could. He carried this hands-on support to his grandkids and great-grandkids, always wanting to be at their games, concerts, performance, and recitals. Sam was never stingy. Though he was a child of the Depression who understood the value of a dollar and the importance of saving, the generosity he gave from his heart and spirit was no match for any amount of money. Sam Loved His Family, his extended Family, and his Friends! Sam was a member of Fairview Church of Christ in Austin where he gained many long-standing friendships that are cherished. In addition, he was a proud member of the Hill City Masonic Lodge #456 AF&AM and proudly served as their Worshipful Master in 1982. Sam was a gifted Mason who knew the teachings well, he spent many hours at his kitchen table or outside at his picnic table teaching hundreds of men their masonic work. He was also a member of the Ben Hur Shrine, Scottish Rite and York Rite. He was also a member of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Patron with his beloved Connie every time she served as Worthy Matron. Sam was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Connie Henson, parents, Roy and Vivian Henson, brothers, Buddy and John Henson, sister, May Pearl Hiller. He is survived by two brothers, Gene (Wanda) of Brownwood and Littleroy (Margaret) of Pearland. He is also survived by his three sons Sammy (Taffy), Roy (Olga), and James (Nancy); grandchildren Roy (Audra), John (Liz), Sarah (Steve), Hannah (Joshua), Bradley (Zoe), and Kenneth; great grandchildren Caitlin, Sable, Emily, Major, Carly and Bethany. Services will be held at Austin-Peel and Son Funeral Home, 607 E. Anderson Lane, Austin, TX, 78752. Visitation will be Friday, Aug 3, 3pm - 8pm. Services will be Saturday, Aug 4 at 10am. Graveside services will be Sunday, Aug 5, 11am at Greenleaf Cemetery, 2615 U.S. 377, Brownwood, Texas. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association or The American Lung Association. To plant a tree in memory of Sam Henson, please visit our Tribute Store.