William Kent Hendrickson

William Kent Hendrickson, age 17, died on Saturday, July 27. Jennifer and Derek Hendrickson had the honor of welcoming him into the world on August 8, 2006. 'Wilbur' loved riding his tractor, driving the 'iconic' Colorado, golfing with his Papa Bill and his Uncle Jeff (who he called his Uncle Bob), working on his truck with Pa Dave, fishing and hunting, and spending as much time with his friends and family as possible. He had a silly sense of humor and could find the fun in any situation. Above all, he knew how to have a good time. Will and his buddy Wyatt would go out hunting and fishing, and caught bass together. When he shot his buck last year, he couldn’t wait to call all his friends and family to tell them (but he was more excited about shooting it than having to clean it). He bought matching range finders with his friends at Bass Pro and had plans to take his sister Molly hunting this year. He also had plenty of adventures. Will was a sign-stealing aficionado, did donuts in the school parking lot, and loved riding jet-skis and doing stunts. He also loved driving — his sister Molly says if he didn’t get to drive, he didn’t want to go, and he would try to drive other people’s cars every chance he got. Once while working valet parking for FFA at the Boots and Bling banquet he couldn’t resist taking the King Ranch trucks for a spin (they didn’t let him drive the cars at the next one). While house-sitting for his Uncle Vern he decided to throw a party, which his sister Molly was kind enough to help him clean up. Will was very silly, and would wear his mom’s leopard print sandals or Birkenstocks around until he got his own pair (she called him her “bougie, drama-filled boy”). His bonus brother Jacob remembers a chubby bunny contest with his wife Cindy where Will managed to fit 28 marshmallows in his mouth (he tried this again with cheeseballs, with less success). One time he even camped out with friends in the high school parking lot, where they had a bonfire and cookout before going into class that morning. He loved playing fantasy football with his friends, even when he lost, had a blue horn for football games that he took everywhere, and made an underwear flag for the fort he made with his friends. He had epic nerf wars with Maggie and Jacob, and wrestled with his sister Maggie (which would usually end with her winning). He also loved to eat. Chick-fil-A, Cindy’s cinnamon rolls, Aunt Debbie’s Cole slaw, boneless chicken wings, and just about anything with ketchup or ranch. His nana made him the best waffles and crab fettuccine. He was known to skip school to get Dairy Queen and nothing could get between him and his chicken tenders: he and his friend Wyatt once crossed highway 13 in a snow storm just to get some. Will also took care of the people and animals around him. He helped his dad bale hay, did lots of mowing for his parents and grandparents, and looked after his cows at the farm. He also had a pet hamster named Gump he would let run around the house and loved showing his chickens for 4H. When asked her favorite memories of Will, his mom remembers how he would come sit on her lap because he knew she wanted to love on him and how she would make him nervous at golf tournaments but would always want to make sure she was there. On a recent vacation in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Will’s Grandma Linda referred to the woods as “the jungle,” and he was not going to let her forget it. Even after returning from the trip, where he played lots of golf with his grandpa, Will kept repeating the story “Mom! Every time I hit my ball into the woods I would say ‘Shit I hit my ball into the jungle’” and they would laugh and laugh. He is incredibly loved by his mother Jennifer Hendrickson, father Derek Hendrickson, sisters Molly and Maggie; maternal grandparents Bill and Linda Ellerbee (Papa and Mimi); his paternal grandparents Marilyn Hendrickson-Bamber and Dave Bamber (Nana and Pa Dave); honorary grandparents Fran and Sam Dybczynski (Nonnie and Nonno), Kendall and Sandy Smith, and Nadean Ashlock; his aunt Kristi Coburn, her husband Eric, and their children Bailey and Jack; his uncle Jeff Ellerbee (Uncle Bob) and his children Jordan, Josh, Jack, Jameson, Jaiden, and Juno; his bonus brother Jacob Noblitt, his wife Cindy, and their daughter Daisy; his bonus sister Hannah Barclay, her husband Josh, and their daughters Lizzie and Aubrey; bonus nieces and nephews Ella, Rhea, and Corbin; along with friends too many to count and family members too many to name. Willbur will be met with open arms by his paternal great-grandparents Virgil and Francis Hendrickson; Norman Hutcheson, his papa Norman; paternal great-grandparents Vaughan and Maxine Korth; maternal great-grandmother Norma Ellerbee; maternal great-grandmother Navah Pugh; and paternal grandfather Ron Hendrickson. Will, we all love you and will see you later. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Mabee Chapel located on the Southwest Baptist University Campus in Bolivar. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Will Hendrickson Memorial Fund at all OakStar banks. If donations need to be mailed please send them to PO Box 47 Bolivar, MO 65613. These donations will be used to fund a scholarship in Will’s honor.

William Kent Hendrickson

August 8, 2006 - July 27, 2024