W.T. Henry passes away early Monday morning

ALBANY — Former Deerfield-Windsor School Headmaster W.T. Henry died early Monday morning.

Henry was 80 years old.

Over the course of a career in education that spanned more than four decades, Henry became a revered and respected teacher, coach, administrator and headmaster. He was a coach and the first headmaster of Southwest Georgia Academy in Damascus. Henry was also a former member of the state of Georgia Department of Education school board.

Henry was the father of local restaurateur Bo Henry and Dougherty County Schools Athletic Director Lea Henry.

“He passed last night about 4 a.m.,” Bo Henry said Monday. “He had a little cold, and we think his heart just gave out. He’d had some heart issues in the past. He was doing fine at Harvest Moon Thursday night, but he went quick and easy, he just couldn’t make it through the night.

“He made an impact on a lot of people because that’s who he was.”

W.T. Henry leaves behind his wife, Ruth, his son Bo, daughters Lea Henry and Kristin Culpepper and four grandchildren.

“I think he’ll be remembered as a true Southern gentleman,” Bo Henry said of his father. “He was a precious man who loved people, his church, his students, his faculty and most of all his family and God. He was just a great Christian man, who gave it his best, and I think that’s how he’ll be remembered.

“He’d help anybody any way he could, especially kids. He got out of the school business for about three years, and he had signed a three-year contract but could not wait to get back into education because he loved working with young people. He was not for just private schools, but public, too. He was just for kids. He raised a lot of kids and he was the greatest dad in the world.”

It didn’t take long for tributes to Henry to begin flowing on social media.

• Deerfield’s first headmaster, Graham Lowe, said on Facebook: “The best of friends, the best of grandparents, and the best leader adopting everybody’s children. W.T., I know you are in a better place but you will always be missed.”

• Mary Elizabeth Thompson wrote on Facebook: “I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of W. T. Henry. I first knew he and his family as a child growing up playing next door with my childhood friend. Bo and Mr. Henry were always cutting up with us and making us laugh. So many great memories. I also knew him as a headmaster and as a friend. He was a light in this world and community and had such a sweet, sweet spirit. He will be greatly missed. Lots of prayers for such a special family.”

• Mark Murphy wrote: “Very sorry to hear of Mr. Henry passing. He certainly had a positive impact on so many students and parents in the area, including my two oldest daughters. He will surely be missed by so many in this area. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”

• Albany Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes shared a post: “I met W.T. Henry many, many years ago when I was the education reporter at The Albany Herald and he was headmaster at Deerfield-Windsor School. He was welcoming and heartwarming and lovely. Through the years, we worked together on a variety of things. I hugged his neck every time I saw him, which most often was at Harvest Moon, where he was a standard. He always had something positive to say and made my day better. I am heartbroken for our community, and for our friends, Kate Henry and Bo Henry, and their family. May we all find comfort and peace in the memories and legacy Mr. W.T. leaves.”

There will be a celebration of life Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church followed by a gathering of family and friends from 4-6 p.m. in the W. T. Henry Gym at Deerfield-Windsor School.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Deerfield-Windsor School, P.O. Box 71149, Albany, GA 31708; Southwest Georgia Academy, 14105 GA Hwy 200, Damascus, GA 39841; or First United Methodist Church, 307 Flint Ave, Albany, GA 31701.