Wilbur C. Henderson Jr., real estate
developer
By Bonnie L. Cook, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: June 13, 2013
Wilbur C. Henderson Jr., 89, a real estate developer and longtime
Folcroft resident, died of natural causes Saturday, June 8, at Plush
Mills Senior Living, Wallingford.
He was president and CEO of the Henderson Group Inc., a
commercial and industrial real estate developer in Delaware County with
offices in Media and Melbourne, Fla.
Mr. Henderson was the second generation to head the
Henderson Group, which was founded by his father, Wilbur Henderson Sr.,
in 1923. The firm's first job was to fix a door, and a light fixture, at
a home in Philadelphia, according to company lore.
The company grew to handle tens of millions of dollars
of business over the years. Among its projects: the Airport Business
Center in Tinicum; the Chesley Office Campus in Nether Providence; the
Folcroft Business Park in Folcroft, Sharon Hill and Darby Township; the
Village at Painters Crossing in Chadds Ford; and the Chadds Ford
Business Center.
Longtime family friend Bill Taylor described Mr.
Henderson as "a Christian businessman who cared for others, not
himself."
Mr. Henderson received the Delaware County Chamber of
Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 in recognition of years of
service, including as chamber president. He also served on the Planning
Commission for the Borough of Folcroft.
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Henderson was a graduate of
John Bartram High School. He graduated from Drexel University in 1947. A
trustee emeritus, he was named one of Drexel's most outstanding 100
alumni during its centennial in 1992.
Mr. Henderson served in the Army during World War II as
a member of the 82d Airborne Division, 508th Parachute Infantry. He was
honorably discharged from the Army Reserve with the rank of lieutenant
colonel.
He was a former member of the board of trustees of the
Florida Institute of Technology, former member of the Delaware County
Government Study Commission, and member of the Greater Philadelphia
First Corporation.
Mr. Henderson joined the Folcroft Union Church in 1950
and served as senior deacon. He also helped plan and implement church
building projects.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, the former Betty
Lea Washabaugh; a son, Steven K., and two grandchildren.
Another son, David C. Henderson Sr., 44, died in
December 1999 of a heart attack after a morning jog. He was being
groomed to replace Mr. Henderson as third-generation president and CEO
of the Henderson Group, Taylor said.
A funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, at
Folcroft Union Church, 500 Primos Ave., Folcroft, Pa. 19032. Burial is
private.
Contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy
Association, 455 Business Center Dr., #155, Horsham, Pa. 19044, or to
the Folcroft Union Church.
(Appeared on Phiolly.com) |
Wilbur C. Henderson, Jr.,
age 89, a longtime resident of Folcroft and passed away on June 8, 2013
at Plush Mill Senior Living.
Wilbur proudly served in the US Army during World War 2 including the
Battle of the Bulge as a distinguished member of the 82nd Airborne
Division, 508th Parachute Infantry.
He is retired from the US
Army Reserves as a Lt. Col. He graduated from Drexel University in 1947
and has been recognized as one of Drexel's Most Outstanding 100
Graduates. He has served on various committees and received numerous
honors and awards from the University and is currently recognized as a
Board of Trustees Emeritus.
He is the founder,
chairman president and CEO of the Henderson Group, Inc. He received the
Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002
where he served many years, even as the chairman of the Chamber. Wilbur
served on the Planning Commission for the Borough of Folcroft, former
member of the Board of Trustees of the Florida Institute of Technology,
former member of the Delaware County Government Study Commission and
member of the Greater Philadelphia First Corporation.
He has been an active
member of the Folcroft Union Church since 1950 where he served in
various leadership roles including years of service as the senior
deacon. He was also instrumental in the planning and implementation of
several church building projects. Family: wife of 65 years Betty Lea
Washabaugh Henderson; Son, Steven and the late David Henderson, Sr.;
Grandchildren, David and Christina Henderson; Daughter in law, Helen
(Steve) Buxton, brother in law, David Andrew Washabaugh, sister in law,
Joyce Barton Washabaugh and caretaker Irene Myck.
Funeral Service:
Wednesday, 11AM, at Folcroft Union Church, 500 Primos Ave., Folcroft,
PA. 19032 Visitation: Tuesday evening, beginning at 6PM, at the New
Location of McCausland Garrity Marchesani Funeral Home, 343 S. Chester
Pike, Glenolden, PA. 19036. Burial: Will be held privately at
Philadelphia Memorial Park, Frazer, PA. Contributions: Muscular
Dystrophy Assoc., 455 Business Center Dr. #155, Horsham, PA. 19044 or to
Folcroft Union Church, 500 Primos Ave., Folcroft, PA. 19032, would be
appreciated.
Condolences: www.mcgfh.com
(Published in The Daily Times on June 11, 2013) |
Wilbur
C. Henderson, Jr., age 89, a longtime resident of
Folcroft, PA and Satellite Beach, FL passed away on
June 8, 2013.
Wilbur proudly served in the US Army during
World War 2 including the Battle of the Bulge as
a distinguished member of the 82nd Airborne
Division, 508th Parachute Infantry. He is retired
from the US Army Reserves as a Lt. Col. He graduated
from Drexel University in 1947 and has been
recognized as one of Drexel's Most Outstanding 100
Graduates
He is the Founder, Chairman President and CEO of the
Henderson Group, Inc. He received the Delaware
County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement
Award in 2002 and was a former member of the Board
of Trustees, Florida Institute of Technology. His
local office was Henderson Southeast Corporation in
Melbourne.
Family: wife of 65 years Betty Lea Washabaugh
Henderson; son, Steven and the late David Henderson,
Sr.; grandchildren, David and Christina Henderson;
daughter-in-law, Helen (Steve) Buxton;
brother-in-law, David Andrew Washabaugh; sister in
law, Joyce Barton Washabaugh; and caretaker Irene
Myck.
Funeral Service: Wednesday, 11AM, at Folcroft Union
Church, 500 Primos Ave., Folcroft, PA. 19032
Visitation: Tuesday evening, beginning at 6PM, at
the New Location of McCausland Garrity Marchesani
Funeral Home, 343 S. Chester Pike, Glenolden, PA.
19036. Burial: Will be held privately at
Philadelphia Memorial Park, Frazer, PA.
Contributions: Muscular Dystrophy Assoc., 455
Business Center Dr. #155, Horsham, PA. 19044 or to
Folcroft Union Church, 500 Primos Ave., Folcroft,
PA. 19032, would be appreciated.
Published in FLORIDA TODAY from June 12 to
June 14, 2013
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/floridatoday/obituary.aspx?pid=165275795#fbLoggedOut
Wilbur C. Henderson, Jr.,
age 89, a longtime resident of Folcroft, PA and Satellite Beach, FL
passed away on June 8, 2013.
Wilbur proudly served in the US Army during World War 2 including the
Battle of the Bulge as a distinguished member of the 82nd Airborne
Division, 508th Parachute Infantry. He is retired from the US Army
Reserves as a Lt. Col. He graduated from Drexel University in 1947 and
has been recognized as one of Drexel's Most Outstanding 100 Graduates
He is the Founder, Chairman President and CEO of the Henderson Group,
Inc. He received the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2002 and was a former member of the Board of
Trustees, Florida Institute of Technology. His local office was
Henderson Southeast Corporation in Melbourne.
Family: wife of 65 years Betty Lea Washabaugh Henderson; son, Steven and
the late David Henderson, Sr.; grandchildren, David and Christina
Henderson; daughter-in-law, Helen (Steve) Buxton; brother-in-law, David
Andrew Washabaugh; sister in law, Joyce Barton Washabaugh; and caretaker
Irene Myck.
Funeral Service: Wednesday, 11AM, at Folcroft Union Church, 500 Primos
Ave., Folcroft, PA. 19032
Visitation: Tuesday evening, beginning at 6PM, at the New Location of
McCausland Garrity Marchesani Funeral Home, 343 S. Chester Pike,
Glenolden, PA. 19036. Burial: Will be held privately at Philadelphia
Memorial Park, Frazer, PA. Contributions: Muscular Dystrophy Assoc., 455
Business Center Dr. #155, Horsham, PA. 19044 or to Folcroft Union
Church, 500 Primos Ave., Folcroft, PA. 19032, would be appreciated.
(Published in FLORIDA TODAY from June 12 to June
14, 2013) |