Dr. Ronald Earl (Bill) Henderson, Jr. died Wednesday, August 13 at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. He was 71 years old. Dr. Henderson was born in Temple, Texas on March 11, 1932, the son of Anna Pearl Gibson and Ronald Earl Henderson, Sr. He attended Waco Public Schools and graduated from Baylor University in 1953, and the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1957. After internship at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, he received his pathology residency training at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He entered practice at Hillcrest Hospital in 1962 where he was chief of pathology until 1995 when he semi-retired to practice part-time at Central Texas Pathology Laboratory.In 1962, he met the love of his life Diane Lane Varner, and they married at University Park Methodist Church in Dallas. Their daughter Mary Leslie Henderson was born in 1964 and their son Ronald Earl Henderson, III was born in1968. Dr. Henderson and his wife Diane celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on May 18, 2003. Survivors include his wife Diane, daughter Mary Henderson Senter and grandson Clark Dudley Senter, his son and his family Ronald Earl (Ron) Henderson, III and his wife Charlotte and granddaughter Olivia Leigh Henderson. He is also survived by his sister, Anna Echols and brother-in-law Tom Echols, his uncle Dudley Gibson, and many nieces nephews and cousins.His life was closely associated with Baylor University, since his father was a coach there from 1936 until his retirement in 1970. He was manager and trainer on his father's 1948 team that played for the NCAA championship in Madison Square Garden in New York. He was a member of the Baylor Lettermen's Association, the Baylor Bear Foundation and the Athletic Director's Council. In his professional life, he was fortunate to have been associated with many fine Waco physicians who were his close friends and mentors. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Society of Pathologists, the College of American Pathologists, and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. He served as the medical director for the American Red Cross Waco chapter for many years. He was a member of the board of trustees at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. Honorary pallbearers include: Simon M. Bunn, Jr., M.D., Edwin B. Morrison, M.D., Gary F. Geldmeier, M.D., Alan D. Northcutt, M.D., Douglas B. Michaels, M.D., Daniel R. Samples, M.D., Larry W. Cartmell, Jr., M.D., and Seth W. Cook, M.D.Pallbearers include: Ed Burleson, William Callan, Artie Giotes, Kirk Guillory, Joe Johnson, Reese Killion, David M. McTaggart, M.D., Charles E. Mangum, M.D., Mike Raine, M.D., Mark Sanders, Mike Sewell, Hal Stringer, Phil Webb, M.D., and Robert Angel, M.D.The family of Dr. Henderson would like to extend the deepest appreciation and thanks to the nursing and support staff at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center for the comfort and care that they provided Dr. Henderson during the last weeks of his life. Also, the family would like to extend a special note of gratitude to Dr. Gary Barbin, who served as Dr. Henderson's primary care physician and directed his medical care with much compassion. Funeral services for Dr. Henderson will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 16 at 11:30 a.m., with the Reverend Jimmie Johnson officiating. The family will receive visitors at home on Friday, August 15 from 4 until 6 p.m.Memorials should be sent to the First Presbyterian Church (1100 Austin Ave., Waco, Texas 76701), the "Jane and Sid Jones Children's Garden" at the Earle-Harrison House (1901 N. 5th Street, Waco, Texas 76708), the "Dr. R.E. (Bill) Henderson, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund for Pre Medical Studies" at Baylor University (P.O. Box 97050, Waco, Texas 76798) or the Waco ISD Education Foundation (P.O. Box 2369, Waco, Texas 76703).