William Donald Henderson 7/28/1946 - 7/2/2024

On July 2nd Don passed beyond the touch of our hands at his longtime home in Cool surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle with cancer. Born in Stockton to parents Bill and Sally along with sister Janet, Don spent the first decade of his life there. Following his parents' divorce, Sally married Richard "Dick" Frey in 1955, leading the family to the little town of Garden Valley. Here Don attended grammar school in Georgetown. Wanting to be closer to Auburn, where Dick worked at Del and Joe's Body shop, the family bought property in Cool and built the first home on what is now Aaron Cool Drive. In Cool, Don had the good fortune to meet the Niegel and Nance families who treated him as one of their own. That association would prove a godsend after Dick and Sally divorced in 1963. Finances and food were in short supply for a while but there was plenty of venison walking around on the Neigel ranch to which Jerry Nance and Don availed themselves. After graduating from Placer High in 1964, Don worked at the state printing office to fund his education at Sierra College and Sacramento State College, earning his degree in 1969. That same year he married a local Auburn girl, Lynda Rick, and enlisted in the U.S. Army and California National Guard. While Don and Lynda eventually went their separate ways, destiny brought Don and Gentiane Szonn together some years later. Their union produced a beautiful, intelligent daughter, Nicole and the apple of Don's eye, grandson Lucian. Don's working career was spent as a land surveyor where he worked with Norm Andregg, Dennis Meyer, Charlie Barieau, Jim McKeegan, and his mentor, Robert James Ralph. In 1996 he co-founded R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc. alongside Brian Thionnet and Bob Huun. This engineering firm, still thriving today, played a pivotal role in the development of El Dorado Hills and Folsom. Upon retiring in 2006, Don went on many fishing trips with his good friend, Tom McMahan, and devoted more time to his lifelong community service. Don's association with local organizations include: the Active 20-30 Club of Auburn; a 47-year membership in the Native Sons of the Golden West Auburn Parlor #59 and Georgetown Parlor #91; American Legion Riders Chapter 84; Auburn Moose Lodge #2264; Moose Riders; and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Memento Lodge #37 in Georgetown. Don leaves behind daughter Nicole (Katrina Ambrose) and her mother Gentiane, grandson Lucian, sister Janet Hurley, nephews Mike and Matt Hurley, niece Kate Porter, ex-step children Aaron and Leah Adicoff and their mother Karen. A Celebration of Life to follow in the coming months. Please send your contact info to wdh.memorial.2024@gmail.com to be included.