John Paul Hensley

John Paul Hensley, 80, of Worthington, KY, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, KY.

Mr. Hensley was born in Baltimore, MD, on July 9, 1945, to the late John David and Lucille Owens Hensley, but was raised by his uncle and aunt, the late Dorsey and Olive T. Doniphan.

He was also preceded in death by his son, John Paul Hensley II; two brothers, Ronnie and Kenneth Ray “Jeff” Hensley; three sisters: Patricia Melvin, Barbara Tackett, and Olive Bledsoe.

John was a conductor for C&O Railroad, Chessie Systems, and CSX. He was a United States Marine Vietnam Veteran who served from 1962 to 1968. He was a member of the United Transportation Union, the American Legion Elwood Stringer Post #325, the Hershel Woody Williams Detachment #340, and the Col. Vance Houston Detachment of the Marine Corps #1345, where he was the Commandant for five years and a founding member. He was also the Commandant for the State of Kentucky and the state Advocate for West Virginia. Mr. Hensley was the vice president of the Kyova Gospel Music Association and founder of “Singing in the Holler”. He attended Grace Baptist Church in Flatwoods, KY.

John is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Sandra Kay Osborne Hensley of Worthington, KY; three grandchildren, Elizabeth (Dusty) Clark of Flatwoods, KY, Kevin (Carrie) Black of Greenup, KY, and Kimberly Renee (Ryan) Houston of Argillite, KY; six great-grandchildren: Kyle Rickman, Caleb Black, Hunter Houston, Allie Houston, Ethan Matthews and Kelsey Matthews; his daughter-in-law, Della Elizabeth “Libby” Hensley of Greenup, KY; a brother, Warren “Butch” (Elsie) Hensley of Flatwoods, KY; and a host of extended family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods, KY, with Rev. Jason A. Bailey and Rev. Lloyd L. Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast in Greenup, KY.

Visitation will be from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the funeral home.

Condolences can be expressed at www.baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com.