William Henderson
William Henderson
William Henderson was born in 1943 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964 to 1977 and the in Michigan Air National Guard from 1977 to 1997, completing a thirty-three-year military career. Henderson was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Major General. During his career, he served as a pilot, flying the F-4 Phantom fighter. He flew 125 combat missions in the Republic of Vietnam, Laos, and North Vietnam. In 1974, General Henderson left active duty and served in the Marine Corps Reserve, and 1977 joined the Michigan Air National Guard, where he flew F-100 and A-7 fighters for the 127th Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1992, he was appointed as the Commander of the Michigan Air National Guard. General Henderson has served his community, state, and country in many capacities, from his decades-long military service to his various private-sector endeavors, most notably as the Chief Pilot and Director of Flight Operations for General Motors Corporation. His community service has included positions on the advisory boards of the Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Aerospace Technical High School and Operation Not Forgotten, as a mentor for troubled youth, and a frequent volunteer at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor. Henderson has been inducted into the Michigan Aviation Museum Hall of Fame.