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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 82
BY SENATOR JOHNS
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of William "Bill" L. Henning Sr.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
Louisiana Senate have learned of the passing of William "Bill" L. Henning Sr. on March 24,
2012; and
WHEREAS, William "Bill" L. Henning Sr. was born in Sulphur on July 25, 1922,
to Thomas William Henning and Evelyn Mary Henning; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from Sulphur High School in 1940 and attended McNeese
College for two years; and
WHEREAS, as a soldier during World War II, Mr. Henning entered the United States
Army Air Corp in 1942, served in Europe, and was discharged in 1946; and
WHEREAS, he attended law school at Louisiana State University and graduated in
1949 with a Juris Doctorate degree; and
WHEREAS, while in law school, he was a member of the legal fraternity, Phi Delta
Phi, and served on the Moot Court Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, he returned to Sulphur to begin his legal career and practiced law for
more than fifteen years; and
WHEREAS, when his father passed away in 1952, Mr. Henning and his brother took
over the operation of Cameron Telephone Company; and
WHEREAS, under their leadership, Cameron Telephone Company developed into
a large and very successful telecommunications group that included personal
communications systems, cellular, wireless communications, Internet, cable television, and
other telecommunications services that provided the latest and most modern technology SR NO. 82 ENROLLED
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available to its customers; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Henning served as the Chief Executive Officer of Cameron
Communications until it was sold in 2010; and
WHEREAS, he was also an officer and director in several related
telecommunications companies, including Cameron Telephone Company, Cameron
Telephone Company-Texas, Elizabeth Telephone Company, and LBH, L.L.C.; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Henning served as a former officer and director of Mercury Long
Distance Company, Mercury Cellular Telephone Company, and US Unwired; and
WHEREAS, at the time of his death, Mr. Henning was developing a multi-state
wireless broadband Internet company; and
WHEREAS, he was a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, a member and
former president of the Louisiana Telephone Association, former director of the United
States Telephone Association, former director of the National Rural Telecom Association,
former director of Calcasieu Marine National Bank; and
WHEREAS, he was a charter member and former president of the Calcasieu Parish
Industrial Board, a charter member and former vice president of the Chennault Industrial
Airport Authority, and a member and former officer of the West Calcasieu Port, Harbor and
Terminal District; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Henning was affiliated with numerous business, fraternal, civic, and
charitable organizations; and
WHEREAS, he was an active member of Henning United Methodist Church, a
church named in honor of his grandfather, was a former chairman of the official board and
a former president of the Board of Trustees, served as a Sunday school teacher, and was a
member of the Centenary Church Council; and
WHEREAS, he also served on the Committee on Interjurisdictional Relations and
was twice a delegate to the Louisiana United Methodist Conference; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life, Mr. Henning enjoyed helping people in need,
playing tennis, walking, traveling, and photography; and
WHEREAS, he loved his family and enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren and
telling them stories; and SR NO. 82 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, he is survived by his loving wife, Lena Argin Baber, whom he was
married to for sixty-two years; three sons, William "Dub" L. Henning Jr. and his wife,
Susan; John A. Henning Sr. and his wife, Ginny; and Thomas G. Henning and his wife,
Shirley; and eleven grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, with the death of Mr. Henning, Louisiana lost one of its finest citizens
and a true gentleman who left an indelible mark on the lives of those he touched; and
WHEREAS, although his passing left a tremendous void in his community and state,
his memory shall live on in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of William "Bill"
L. Henning Sr., and does hereby recognize and record for posterity his incomparable legacy
which is marked by the deep pride and honor that he brought to his family, friends,
community, state, and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of William "Bill" L. Henning Sr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE