Dear Family,

We are weeping with you today. Our hearts are broken over the loss of such a dear friend and such a gentle, wonderful human being.

Please find comfort in that you were the joy of his life. We are confident that his last days were blessed as he was surrounded by the incredible love and tenderness of his beautiful family.

Please know, also, that we are walking this sad time with you every step of the way, praying that God will provide everything that you need.

With much prayer and so many fond memories,

John and Nancy Fer

David and Robin O’Brien – Sumter

Dear Hentges and especially Mary Beth (I guess you’re just Beth now) – was so sorry to hear of this. He was a fine man who raised a great family and contributed so much to so many. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Mrs. Hentges and family: I was so sad to hear this news. Bill was one of the sweetest men I have ever met. My first year as a teacher at TSA, I got pneumonia and had to be out for a week. As I was new, I did not have “sick days” built up. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Mr. Hentges donated his sick days to me, so that I would not lose any pay. I was always happy to see Mr. and Mrs. Hentges at church on Sunday at St. Jude–what loving, beautiful, warm examples of wonderful human beings they are. I send my love and prayers and my gratitude that I got to know this wonderful man. Amy Zalimas

Dear Hentges family,

It is with much sadness and regret that I send my prayers and condolences to you all. Bill and Melba were 2 very important people in my life who contributed immensely to strengthening my already strong faith. My move to TX in Aug ’15 separated me from my church family and I was remiss in reconnecting in a timely manner. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with all of you now. May your hearts and souls heal quickly while knowing Bill is basking in God’s grace and love.

Godspeed, with love,

Nadine Pawluk

Dear Melba and Children,

My heart shares in your heartbreak and sadness. Bill left this world with the same grace, gentleness, and integrity that he lived and he left your family and all who knew him with a grand legacy. You will continue to be in my thoughts & prayers, and I pray that you feel the love of all those who love you and that you feel the peace that the Lord wants to place in your heart.

God bless you. Rest in eternal peace, Bill.

Love,

Jan Caputo

Dear Mrs. Hentges and his children,

I really wanted to share the deepest appreciation that I have for Mr. Hentges as he was my math teacher when I was in TSA. I was an international student from Korea and only Asian kid in the school that I often felt isolated and lonely. However, I remember so well that Mr. Hentges always stood beside me engaged in conversation and cheered me up. He even gave me an opportunity to participate in a state math meet that truly affected me positively. Whenever I engage in conversation about “standing up for others for racism,” I always talk about Mr. Hentges honoring his good heart. Thank you Mr. Hentges for your kindness and love. You are always in my heart.

Young Kwon Kim from South Korea

Dear Hentges family,

We are So sorry for your loss, Mr. Hentges, was a kind, sweet ,smart well respected man/teacher. He will be in our hearts forever. He was a great leader and kind friend. He will be truly missed.

Sweet caring teacher! I taught with Bill for several years and two daughters had him as a teacher . They were fond of him but not of the math !

I was fortunate to work with Bill at Thomas Sumter Academy and had the pleasure of playing golf with him. Both my sons also had Bill as a math teacher and loved his classes. I have never met a finer man, who was also a wonderful teacher, a friend, and had a kind heart as big as he was. He always had a smile and time for everyone. Bill, you will be terribly missed by your family and everyone fortunate enough to touched by your presence. Our Father has a beautiful golf course prepared for you. Rest In Peace my friend.

Cindy Stegemann

Sympathy and prayers to the family

Shari Thomas

Our sincere sympathy to Richard and family on the passing of your brother; you are I. Our thoughts and prayers?

Carolyn Stieferman Schramm

Deepest condolences to the Hentges family.

Daniel Distler

When we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. May you take comfort in knowing that you have an angel to watch over you now. We/I extend our/my most sincere condolences to you.

I am so sorry for your loss. Mr Hentges taught my son while at TSA in Sumter. He was always a wonderful teacher, so nice to everyone. Your family is in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Dear Melba, “birthday soulmate”. We all search in vein for why pillars of humanity are called home so early and so quickly. Bill was a Gentle giant. He was always smiling and joyful and he treated everyone as a brother. He is a role model on my God journey and I know he touched the hearts and souls of all his students and friends in the same way. As a giant, he had a huge heart full of love for everyone and he has left big footprints…no one can fill them like he did.

We wish we could be there with you, Melba; but you have Calvin and we are part of his presence in a special, God’s way. Our prayers for you and your family. We Love you and God’s Blessings! Bill and Betty T.

Dear Melba,

I was stunned when I heard Bill died. I thought they made a mistake because Bill Kneenan died around the same time. I just remember how healthy Bill was until the knee problem but he recovered. I never knew he was suffering with cancer. I want you to know, I never stopped praying for Bill and you. I will continue to do that until we meet in heaven. I wish I could hug you right now and weep with you. You both were great friends.

Love Pat and Larry Corum

Dear Melba,

I too was stunned when I read that Bill had passed away. I truthfully did not know you sold your house in Sumter and was meaning to call you. I am so sorry for your loss and ours too. He was always such a big help with Sumter Citizens for Life and I so appreciated him. He was very faithful. I tried to find a phone number for you but was unsuccessful. I have been praying for both you and your family. Please send me an email at “cindymayfagan@yahoo.com”.

Melba: I am a squadron mate and classmate of Bill’s at the Academy. We met very briefly at our 50th in 2013. Unfortunately those gatherings seem to lack the gift of adequate time to renew relationships. So it was for me with Bill. I cannot expect to console you in Bill’s loss. However, I will share it with our 11th Sq members. Should you feel I might be of more assistance, such as connecting you with the Association of Graduates or others, please call on me.

Lou Matjasko

lsmatjasko@msn.com

Dear Mrs. Hentges and family, I was a student at TSA in the early 2000s, and I was in several of Mr. Hentges’s classes. Upper level math and science did not come easily to me, but Mr. Hentges was always so patient in answering all of my questions and those from my classmates. Every once in a while, we would ask a question that Mr. Hentges was unsure how to answer at first, but he would tell us that he’d find the answer and report back to us the next day. He never failed to find the answer. He never failed to do what he told us he would do. Mr. Hentges not only taught me the rules of trigonometry, physics, and calculus, but he also taught me some of the most important lessons in how to be a teacher. I’ve been teaching for almost ten years now, and I strive each day to show my students the same sort of patience and integrity Mr. Hentges consistently showed us. I was blessed to have been one of his students. I am praying for you all.

Melba, I was shocked to hear of Bill’s passing having heard the news through the F-111 community. It seems like only yesterday when we were all at Upper Heyford in the 55th TFS, and then a short cross-over in the spring of ’82 at Cannon. We were fortunate to have been able to move into the old manor house just outside Oxford, UK, you vacated after you moved back to the states in ’74, and that time spent in Hampton Poyle has left many memories. I didn’t realize you and Bill lived so close as I live near by in Holly Springs just off I-575, and have been living in the area for 25 years. Several ex-F-111 guys live nearby also, many of us retiring from Lockheed. Cancer has taken several spouses, as both my wife Nancy, and Ernie McLelland, have lost similar battles. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.