John Wesley Henley was born January 24, 1939.  He was the fourth child born to his loving parents, the late Harvey Lee Henley, Sr. and Marie McGrew Henley, in Porterville, Mississippi, (Kemper County). At an early age John and his family moved to Adger, Alabama. It was there that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined Bethlehem Batist Church. He received his education and graduated from the Jefferson County School System. He was a hard worker. After finishing school, he began working with his father in the logging industry. He did this for several years before deciding he wanted to do something different. John was always a smooth talker and could convince people to do things. Using his power of persuasion, he convinced a white business owner in segregated Birmingham, Alabama in the 1950's, to give him a job as a salesman in his shoe store. The name of the store was Thom McAn. He was the first black to be hired in that store. He did well and worked there until the late 1950's when he made the decision to leave Alabama. John was always a sharp dresser. Everything had to match and be just right. He and his friend Clarance were the best dressed guys in our community.

In 1959, he moved to Meridian Mississippi where he met the love of his life, Mary Hill. This was the beginning of a love story that lasted over sixty years. With this union he was blessed with three children. Jeneese Henley, Janice Henley, and Wallace McHale Henley. Through the years, God would see fit to bless them with four more children. Jacqueline Henley (who preceded him in death), Monet Henley, Theresa Henley, and Lisa Henley. When a job opportunity presented itself in 1962. John would move his family to Houston, Texas where he would begin his career in fire safety. John had an intense passion for his craft. He worked many years for Houston Fire & Safety and Fire Safe before eventually establishing his own company MeMaw Fire & Safety in 2008. John was a loving husband and loving father to his children whom he reared with strong faith and love for God. He became a member of Fiesta Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas under the leadership of Pastor Lonnie Hogg where he was ordained to serve on the Deacon Board. He would later attend The Fountain of Praise Church under the Pastorship of Doctor Remus E. Wright and Mia K. Wright.

John Wesley Hensley passed away unexpectedly on January 15, 2025, at the age of 85, at his home in Houston, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Harvey Lee Henley, Sr. and Marie McGrew Henley. Uncle, Johnny McGrew; Aunt, Helen McGrew; Brother, Charles Henley; Sister, Pearl Torrance; Daughter, Jaqueline Henley; Brother-in-law, William Darrington; Cousin, Norris McGrew; God-Sisters, Maude Ester Allen, Mami Allen; Nephews, Tyrone Torrance, Corey Henley, and Brain Henley.

He is survived by his loving Wife, Mary Hill Henley; Son, Wallace McHale Hill; Daughters, Jenesse Henley Green (Timmeth Ray); Janice Henley Walker (Marcus); Monet Henley (Klent Dillingham), Theresa Henley, and Lisa Henley; Fourteen grandchildren, Judith Hill, Joshua Green, Jermaine Hill (Elizabeth), Silas Green (Janelle), Mercedes Palmer (Leland), Chelsea Sandifer, Leah Newsome (Jesse), Landon Henley, Layne Henley, Tyonte Washington (Nicholas), Trenard Hill, T Hill, Thai'lyn Johnson and Tir'zah Johnson; Twenty-three Great-Grandchildren; Two Brothers, Harvey Henley, Jr. (Emma), of Birmingham, Al; Ezekiel Henley (Earner Ray) of Hueytown, AL; Two Sisters, Linda Darrington of Atlanta, Ga, and Flora Johnson (Jack), of Adger, AL; Cousin Johnny Vincent McGrew; Godsons Tommy Tarver, Kurt Carr, and Keith Jones; Goddaughters, Belinda Broussard, Willa Elaine Spears, Denise Edwards and Charntae Bedford; many nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 4p.m. - 8p.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 8706 Almeda Genoa Rd. Houston, Texas 77075.

Saturday, January 25, 2025 Viewing 10a.m. Funeral 11 a.m. at Christian Hope Baptist Church, 3418 Anita St. Houston, Texas 77004,

Interment to follow Houston Memorial Gardens, 2426 Cullen Blvd. Pearland, Texas 77581