KELSEY CEMETERY - UPSHUR COUNTY


Nashville Singer-Songwriter Larry Henley died in Nashville on December 18, 2014 at the age of 77. He was born on June 30, 1937 to Carl and Helen Henley. 

Larry was the “falsetto” voice in the popular 60’s group, The Newbeats. He went on to become an accomplished songwriter and wrote many popular songs including: “Til I Get It Right” by Tammy Wynette in 1973; “Lizzie And The Rainman” by Tanya Tucker in 1975 and “Is It Still Over” by Randy Travis in 1989. Larry also co-wrote the song, “The Wind Beneath My Wings”, by Gary Morris in 1983. The song was named the CMA and ACM Country Song of the Year in 1984. Bette Midler recorded the song in 1989 for the movie “Beaches”, taking it to No. 1 on the pop charts and earning Larry the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. Larry was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. 

Larry had a kind, gracious, and giving soul. He will always be remembered for his quick-witted humor. He loved life, music, friends and most of all family. To know Larry, is to love him. 

He is survived by his four children, Jason Henley and his wife Sheila of Brentwood, TN; Shannon Smith and her husband Stephen of Longview, TX; Tony Padgett of Waco, TX; Michael Daniel of CA; sister, Barbara Henley of MI; ten grandchildren, Justin and Brooke Henley, Rylie and Kaylie Smith; Jessica Reynolds, Nicole Gallegos, Haylie Padgett, Crystal Henley, Michael and Tyler Daniel; as well as nine great-grandchildren; and many longtime family and friends including Virginia Henley of Longview, TX, Charlie Andrews and Sarah DiGregorio of Nashville, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl Henley and Helen Quinn; sisters Pam Henley, Jeanette Chisholm; brother, Reggie Henley; and son, Joey Henley. 

Visitation will be held Monday, December 22, 2014 from six thirty to eight o’clock in the evening at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, TX, with a graveside service on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at two o’clock in the afternoon at Kelsey Cemetery in Gilmer, TX. 

A celebration of Larry’s life will be scheduled after the first of the year and will be held in Nashville, TN. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nashville’s Alive Hospice, 1710 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203. 

Dad, you will forever be “The Wind Beneath Our Wings.”