1917
Cecil
2010
Cecil Martin Hensley
October 4, 1917 — February 13, 2010
Cecil was born on October 4, 1917, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Homer and Ola Hensley. He grew up and attended school in Shawnee, then moved with his family to Bristow, Oklahoma. After a year in college at Baker University, he returned to Bristow and worked as a driver, transporting cars and oil until the war. It was in Bristow that he met and later (June 1940) married Phyllis Iryne Cole. Cecil enlisted in the Navy soon after the start of World War II. After Basic Training and basic Fire Control training, he was stationed in San Francisco, California. Iryne joined him in San Francisco, where they both helped build the ship Cecil was to go to war on, USS RENO, (CL-96). Iryne actually wired the Fire Control Director that Cecil manned during combat.
Cecil was honorably discharged from the Navy soon after the end of the war. He and Iryne returned to Bristow to resume their lives. They had two children, Richard and Peggy.
Cecil was recalled to the Navy during the outbreak of hostilities in Korea. He was stationed at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. The family was moved from Bristow to Long Beach. Cecil was again honorably discharged from the Navy soon after the conflict. He remained at the Long Beach Shipyard as a Federal Civil Service employee of the Navy.
In 1956, Cecil transferred to the Naval Ordinance Test Station, China lake. He helped develop, test and oversee manufacturing of the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to air anti-aircraft missile. He retired from NWC in 1974.
Over the years, Cecil continued to enjoy his love of music. He had majored in music at the university and had a radio show in Oklahoma with his brothers where he played violin and sang harmony with them. He also had a love of the outdoors and enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with his family.
After retiring, Cecil and Iryne started RVing full-time. They were able to travel and see most of the U.S. while visiting family and making many new friends. Gradually, age and health forced an end to RVing. Cecil and Iryne settled in Las Vegas. Iryne passed in March 1997.
Cecil was a true gentleman. He lived his life with honesty and respect, and always giving 100% in all endeavors. He truly believed that everyone lived by those standards.
He was very proud of his accomplishments at work but even more proud of his family. Cecil was a devoted father, always attending or participating in his children’s activities throughout the years. But his devotion to Iryne knew no bounds. Cecil never dated anyone else before marrying Iryne. They did everything as a team. Cecil always wanted to make Iryne happy and continued to take care of her until her death.
Cecil was honorably discharged from the Navy soon after the end of the war. He and Iryne returned to Bristow to resume their lives. They had two children, Richard and Peggy.
Cecil was recalled to the Navy during the outbreak of hostilities in Korea. He was stationed at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. The family was moved from Bristow to Long Beach. Cecil was again honorably discharged from the Navy soon after the conflict. He remained at the Long Beach Shipyard as a Federal Civil Service employee of the Navy.
In 1956, Cecil transferred to the Naval Ordinance Test Station, China lake. He helped develop, test and oversee manufacturing of the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to air anti-aircraft missile. He retired from NWC in 1974.
Over the years, Cecil continued to enjoy his love of music. He had majored in music at the university and had a radio show in Oklahoma with his brothers where he played violin and sang harmony with them. He also had a love of the outdoors and enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with his family.
After retiring, Cecil and Iryne started RVing full-time. They were able to travel and see most of the U.S. while visiting family and making many new friends. Gradually, age and health forced an end to RVing. Cecil and Iryne settled in Las Vegas. Iryne passed in March 1997.
Cecil was a true gentleman. He lived his life with honesty and respect, and always giving 100% in all endeavors. He truly believed that everyone lived by those standards.
He was very proud of his accomplishments at work but even more proud of his family. Cecil was a devoted father, always attending or participating in his children’s activities throughout the years. But his devotion to Iryne knew no bounds. Cecil never dated anyone else before marrying Iryne. They did everything as a team. Cecil always wanted to make Iryne happy and continued to take care of her until her death.
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