O.L. (Onas) Hensley

O.L. (Onas) Hensley, 93, passed away on July 6, 2020. A memorial service will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ’s Haven for Children.

O.L. was born on December 9, 1926, in Ada, Oklahoma and later moved to Fort Worth. He served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army in the 11th Airborne Division - 511 Airborne Signal Co. as a T/5 Technician. He graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with degrees in Chemistry and Music and earned a Master’s Degree in Engineering from U.T.A. He began his career as a chemist at Armour & Co. and later worked as a Reliability Engineer at Bell Helicopter where he retired after working with the Military Survival Group to design the V-22 Osprey.

While in Fort Worth, he fell in love and married his next door neighbor, Barbara Cain. She was the love of his life and they would have celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary next month in August. As avid travelers, they visited all 50 states and many countries. O.L. was a long-time member of the Handley Church of Christ and was regarded as a true Bible scholar. O.L.’s joy was spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed reading books and playing games with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his great intelligence, his kindness, and his gentle spirit. He will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughters Denise Massie and Sheila Ballard & husband Bobby; his sister Reba Vandever; his grandchildren Jennifer Toomey & husband Mike, Jessica Jimenez & husband Tobias, Jamie Lynn Moreland & husband Tim, Christopher Ballard & wife Lauren, and his precious great-grandchildren Caroline, Andrew, Madelyn, Savannah, Emilia, and Lucas.