REEDVILLE-—William Davis Henderson Jr., 96, of Reedville went to be with the Lord on August 27, 2024.
Bill was born on November 16, 1927, to William and Margaret Henderson in Wellesley Hills, Mass. Bill moved to the Charlottesville area in 1952, where he met his future wife, Pat, and raised their family there. In 1997, Bill and Pat retired to their property in Reedville.
William “Bill” Henderson was a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician and Advanced Life Support Provider with the Northumberland County Rescue Squad (NCRS) since 1994. Prior to 1994, Bill had been a volunteer EMT since 1963 serving one week shy of 61 years with the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS). He also volunteered with the Mental Health Society and Multiple Sclerosis Society in Charlottesville.
The importance and incredible value of Bill’s service has been widely recognized through various awards and accolades over the years, including the President’s Service Award for Lifetime Achievement by A Volunteer at CARS in 2008 for his years of service in Charlottesville; the Point of Light Award by the NCRS in 2008; the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Pre-Hospital Provider in 2003; two President’s Volunteer Service Awards; the Outstanding Pre-Hospital Provider by the Peninsula EMS Council in 2001; the EMT of the Year by Rappahannock General Hospital in 2000; the Joel Cochran Award for Outstanding Service by CARS in 1995; the Captain’s Choice Award by CARS in 1986; and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Citation of Merit in 1973. Bill was commended with a House Joint Resolution passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2009 (HJ828) recognizing his longtime service to his community and fellow citizens of the Commonwealth. He was also one of the first 100 hometown heroes for Allen & Allen in 2010 and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad named its training room after him.
In his capacity as an EMT, Bill responded to over 1150 emergency calls since 1994 on behalf of the NCRS and trained approximately 200 EMT personnel who serve the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia. Having served as the training officer for the NCRS, he handled regularly scheduled monthly training meetings, maintained the squad’s quality control process and conducted formal training classes for certification of new Emergency Medical Technicians-Basic. He formally instructed new EMTs for over 38 years. The training of these EMTs is a cornerstone of the EMS program in this area of Virginia, ensuring sufficient and qualified volunteer manpower, while also providing consistent quality of service in accordance with established protocols.
Although no longer a formal EMT instructor or riding on ambulances, Henderson continued to serve the Northumberland County Rescue Squad as a board member and advisor, attending monthly meetings and sharing his wisdom with fellow emergency medical technicians.
In 2008, the Daily Point of Light stated that he was the oldest practicing EMT-B Instructor in Virginia and the second oldest ALS Provider in Virginia. At 96 years of age, Bill was the oldest active EMS provider in the state with contributions to the community that are unsurpassed. He will be remembered for his many achievements and dedication to quality emergency medical services in Virginia.
Bill was predeceased by his parents and his wife of 60 years, Patricia.
He is survived by son, Dave; and daughter, Ann; both of Reedville/Henrico. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 2 p.m. November 16 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Reedville.
