Dr. Henderson Jr.

Dr. Walsa Ray Henderson, 89, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018 at Spartanburg Medical Center after a short illness. Born January 25, 1929, in Durham, NC, he was the son of the late Walsa Ray Henderson Sr. and Hannah Mary Walters Henderson. Dr. Henderson was a retired orthopedic surgeon who was a founding partner of Orthopedic Associates in Spartanburg. Dr. Henderson grew up in Virginia and was a graduate of Wake Forest College, now Wake Forest University, and the Bowman-Gray School of Medicine now Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. He served two years as a Naval Medical officer attached to the 3rd Marine Division stationed on Okinawa. After his residency at Kosair Children's Hospital and North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Dr. Henderson moved to Spartanburg and became affiliated with Orthopedic Associates until his retirement in 1999. He also served as Team Physician for the Spartanburg High School Athletic Department and was awarded an honorary letter "S" for his more than twenty-five years in that role. Dr. Henderson was an avid fly fisherman and hunter, and enjoyed raising and training Field Trial dogs. He and his wife enjoyed fishing and hunting together and traveled many times to Scotland and Northern England, as well as Argentina and Mexico. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Pearl Hamilton Henderson; son, John Stephen Henderson (Janea); daughter-in-law, Nancy Henderson; eight grandchildren, Lauren, Drew and Jake Henderson, Stephanie, Rebecca and Travis Henderson, Michael and Christopher Shelton and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by an infant son; daughter, Mary Bess Henderson Shelton and son, Dr. Michael Ray Henderson. Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 309 Fernwood Dr., Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by the Rev. Dale Rawlings. Visitation will follow the service in the church Parlor. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the District Seven Foundation Fund to support college scholarships for Spartanburg High School graduates, c/o Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 E. Kennedy St., Spartanburg, SC 29302 Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Walsa Ray Henderson Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.