Big Stone Gap, Va./Wise, Va. – Paul Hensley, 78, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at his daughter’s residence.
He was of the Christian Faith. He retired from the Department of Social Services with 26 years of service. He also was employed by Quesenberry’s for 15 years. He served his country in the Army where he fought in the Vietnam War and was twice awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of the DAV Chapter 56, where he served as Commander numerous years, and was a member of the VFW 4301.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Bertha Hensley; several siblings; his first wife, Lois Jane Hazelwood Hensley and his second wife, Freida Beverly Hensley.
Paul is survived by his daughter, Kimberly (William, Jr.) Harvey and son, Jessee (Susan) Large; five grandchildren, Paul Harvey, Jared (Arietta) Harvey, Zachary Harvey, Jason (Sugar) Edwards and Larry (Kaitlyn) Edwards; seven great-grandchildren, McKinzee Addington, Raelynn Harvey, Blakely Harvey, Katherine Edwards, James Edwards, Luke Edwards and Maggie Mae Edwards; and an honorary grandchild, Lucy Deel. Paul also had several special people in his life, Mona Ervin, Audra O’Donnell, Jesse Barker and Regina Couch.
The family wished to express special thanks to the members of the Valley Fire Department, CenterWell Home Health, MSA Hospice and Dr. Ronald Sheppard.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 5:00-7:00pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, Va. Funeral services will begin at 7:00pm with Pastor Kenneth Sturgill officiating.
Military graveside rites, by local VFW and DAV posts and the Virginia Army National Guard Honors Team, will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 11:00am in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Norton, Va. Family and friends are asked to assemble at Gilliam Funeral Home to leave at 10:15 in procession to travel to the cemetery.
Paul Harvey, Jared Harvey, Zachary Harvey, McKinzee Addington, Tyler Coots and Jessee Large will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronald Hensley, William Harvey, Jesse Barker, Dustin Begley and Shane Begley.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Paul Hensley.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.