William “Bill” Thomas Henry, 81, of Auburn, NH passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, in his home surrounded by the love of family and friends. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, caring brother and uncle, faithful friend, and a man whose life reflected hard work, kindness, optimism, perseverance, love, gratitude, humor, and most of all, an unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.

Born on September 27, 1944, in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late William Henry, Sr. and Madeline (Doyle) Henry (Jack Mulqueen) and beloved brother to siblings: the late Kathleen (Henry) Norway (Frederick Norway), Mary (Henry) Majkowski (Edward Majkowski Sr.), Michael Henry (Ellen Henry), and Dennis Henry (Debbie Henry).

He grew up in South Amboy, New Jersey where he and his siblings were raised in a loving family. One fond memory Bill often shared was when each year at Christmas time, Madeline had “Billy” and his siblings walk down the street to collect laurel branches. Their father, William Sr., would then make laurel wreaths for the five children to sell, so they could buy gifts for people. As a result, Bill recognized that hard work and serving others as taught by Christ were primary values instilled in their home. While his father William Sr. exemplified a strong work ethic and love for his family, his mother Madeline was the main influencer in his life as she loved God and raised her children to do the same. He would later share the story of how on Good Friday when he was in the first grade, she guided young William to go outside, lie down in the grass, look up at the sky, and talk to Jesus.

He served as an altar boy for five years and attended daily mass all throughout high school. He graduated from Saint Mary’s Catholic High School in 1962, attended pre-seminary school in Boston, MA, and in 1968, he graduated from Immaculate Conception Seminary School in Conception, Missouri.

After college, he built a successful career in sales, sales management, and marketing where his drive, motivation, creativity, and strong work ethic lead him to flourish in manufacturing, consulting training, and insurance sales industries. Always a visionary who could see what was possible, Bill lived out a growth mindset approach to life and embodied that goal oriented philosophy into every area of his work. Through his mentorship and effective teaching and coaching, he empowered and motivated others to do the same. His ingenuity, integrity, dedication, and gift for connecting with people earned him the admiration of his colleagues and customers. He made people feel seen and valued, meeting them where they were and treating others with honesty and respect. He carried those values into every conversation and relationship throughout his career, primarily in healthcare starting with the medical and healthcare supply Kendall Company where he shined in his role as district and later regional manager. His focus then shifted to health insurance sales, excelling at companies like National Health where he won numerous awards, including “Man of the Year.” From 2001-2017, he thrived in his roles working with Aflac. In his last five years upon retiring from Aflac, he served as Marketing Director of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont territories where he twice won the “President’s Club” award, earning him several trips, including ones to the Grammy Music Awards and the NCAA Basketball March Madness Final Four Championship game. He not only retired holding the highest field sales position at Aflac, but he also won the “Rookie of the Year” award in every sales organization he was ever part of throughout his career. More than his professional success, however, his colleagues, clients, and mentees will remember his warm personality, his encouraging and inspiring nature, and the caring attitude he showed to everyone he met. Being around Bill ignited a flame in the hearts of people, motivating them to set and achieve their own goals, for being the optimistic cheerleader that he was, he inspired others to reach their fullest potential. Bill always saw the glass as half-full.

In addition to his strong work ethic, William had a deep passion for sports and exercise that began at a young age. Whether it was shooting a basketball in the driveway for hours at a time, playing baseball, competing on the Saint Mary’s CYO basketball team or in high school where he also played basketball and ran track and field, “Billy” was most known for playing sports while growing up, and staying healthy and physically active remained one of the great passions throughout Bill’s life. In the late 1970s, he earned a blackbelt in karate and played in men’s YMCA basketball and volleyball leagues. He also ran several road races throughout his twenties and thirties. In his thirties and forties, he enjoyed skiing with his family and developed a strong interest in tennis and golf, continuing to exercise at the gym and play tennis and golf throughout the rest of his life. Whether cheering for the New England Patriots, appreciating a good Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight, or feeling proud of his wife, daughters, and grandchildren through their own athletic pursuits and interests, he loved sports and remained active, encouraging others to also live healthy and disciplined lives. In doing so, he brought enthusiasm and energy into everything he did, and while his competitive spirit was matched by his joyful heart and love of life, he inspired others through his own determination to be fit and healthy.

Bill also had a passion for music and played the guitar throughout most of his life. While some of his influences included the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash, he was always willing to pull out the guitar, start strumming and singing songs like Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary,” and turn any gathering of family and friends into an extra special and memorable occasion, inspiring others to smile and to sing along with him.

Above all else, Bill loved, followed, and lived his life for Jesus Christ. His unshakable faith and full surrender to God’s will were the foundation of who he was and guided the way he approached his work and in the way he loved his family and friends, served others, and faced life’s joys and challenges. Because he found forgiveness, grace, love, strength, peace, and purpose through his relationship with the Lord, he never hesitated to share the Gospel with those around him, especially the Gospel of John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” No matter who he met or wherever he was, he would courageously and gracefully express “Jesus loves you.”

As his life was a testimony of discipleship, gratitude, compassion, and steadfast belief, Bill felt called to serve God however he could. In 2003, he co-founded the Manchester, NH Royal Family Kid’s Camp (RFKC) whose mission is to provide transformative support programs to children in the foster care system and volunteered to work as an RFKC camp counselor for 10 years. As a devout member of Tower Hill Church in Auburn, NH, Bill served as a church elder for 10 years, led the Men’s Ministry for two years, participated in men’s missionary work, helping to build churches and schools in Mexico for over 5 years, and began one on one discipleship, guiding men struggling with various issues by showing them the love, grace, and healing received by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Whether through church service, sharing the Gospel, or praying with or for the people in his life, Bill lived out his faith every day as his life reflected the love of Christ in both word and action.

Bill loved and cherished his entire family and will be deeply missed by his devoted wife, Jennifer, their two daughters Alex Edgerly of Newmarket, NH (Josh Edgerly) and Brittney Christensen of Londonderry, NH (Matt Kuehn), his two daughters Heidi Henry of North Kingstown, RI and Amy Henry of Woonsocket, RI, his five grandchildren Zachary Joly, Olivia Joly, and Jacob Joly (Heidi Henry), Sadie Christensen and Grayson Kuehn (Brittney Christensen), his siblings and their spouses, his many nieces and nephews, and his loyal dog, Coco, who remained at his side as he transcended to Heaven.

Though his family and friends grieve for his passing, they rejoice in the promise of eternal life and take comfort knowing he is now at peace in the arms of his Lord and Savior. His legacy of faith, love, service, optimism, hard work, and perseverance will continue to live on through all who were blessed to know him.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service on Saturday June 13, 2026, at 11:00AM at Tower Hill Church, 45 Myles Drive, Auburn, NH 03032.

Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium of Manchester, NH is overseeing arrangements. There are no calling hours, and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to a cause dear to Bill’s heart, Global-Renewal. https://www.globalrenewal.org/