William Pollitt ‘Bill’ Hensch

William Pollitt “Bill” Hensch, 65, of Jonesboro, died at 9:33 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at his home with his family by his side after seven months of fighting cancer.

He was born on Nov. 5, 1950, in Des Plaines, the son of William and Audrey Pollitt Hensch.

He married Sarah Nave on Oct. 8, 1977, in Des Plaines; they resided there until moving to Jonesboro in 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Hensch of Jonesboro; sister Patricia and husband, Alan Thomas; sister Joanne and husband Tom Burkley; brothers-in-law Ron Hartley and John Nave; nieces Amanda Nave, Emily Van Essen and her sons, Jacob and Jordan and Quillan; nephew Sean Hartley and wife Melissa; cousins, and many lifelong friends, as well as friends they have met since moving to Jonesboro.

He joined the Des Plaines Fire Department in February 1976 as a firefighter/paramedic, was promoted to engineer, was active in the firefighter’s union and then became a fire inspector and investigator, where he served the last 10 years of his career. He retired in June 2004 after 28 years of service, when they moved to Jonesboro to their lifelong dream of country living. Bill and Sarah joined Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna, where he served in the men’s group.

He lost his parents, relatives and many friends to age, illness or accidental death. He was no stranger to it personally or professionally and knew how precious a gift life is. His family said he knew suffering and spent many hours comforting and visiting with friends who were in any type of crisis.

Memorial services for Mr. Hensch will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, today, at Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna, with Pastor Mark Hasty officiating.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.