Doyle Dwight Hensley

DOYLE DWIGHT HENSLEY, age 76, of Washington CH, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 6:41 p.m. at Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital.

He was born on October 24, 1945 in Durham, North Carolina to Coy and Eleanor Hensley. Doyle graduated from high school in Texas and then joined the US Navy where he served for 16 years. During his Naval career, he graduated basic training in San Diego, CA and after graduation, he served on board Destroyers USS Chevalier DD 805, and the USS Boyd DD 544 where he was a Gunners Mate.  He left shipboard duty by volunteering for the newly formed Special Warfair Unit. Upon completion of his training, he served five tours of duty in Vietnam and while doing so he was awarded the Bronze Star with the Combat V for Valor as well as the Purple Heart along with numerous other medalss. As a result of his injuries sustained in Vietnam, he was airlifted to the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. He was later sent back to sea duty on board a Fast Frigate the USS Voge FF 1047. 

After leaving the Navy, he entered the Law Enforcement field and retired from the Apopka Police Department in Florida with the rank of Captain and title of Commander of Criminal Investigations.  He attended college at night and obtained an Associate Degree from Seminole State College and later his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida State University.  He was a member of the VFW Post 4964 and the VFW Post 3762 and a member of the Local DAV Post. He was also an active member at South Side Church of Christ.

Doyle was preceded in death by his father, mother, Eleanor Hensley Dickerson, step-father, Walter Dickerson and sisters, Linda Vore and Kim Hensley.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Dawson Hensley, whom he married on September 1, 1996; his children, Karen Hensley Uible, Christopher Hensley both of Florida, Melissa Darif Franchini, Julie Hoppes Adams both of Ohio, Zachery Hoppes and Kerie Walls both of Kentucky; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; sisters, Wanda Knowles, Terry Putman, Dorenda Brantley, Tracy Barton and Zena Carrol; brothers Ron and Kevin Hensley.  Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, cousins as well as a host of friends.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the South Side Church of Christ with Todd Maurer and Danny Dodds officiating with burial to follow at the Washington Cemetery. Family and friends may visit at the church on Thursday morning from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

 Arrangements have been entrusted to the Summers Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be sent to www.summersfuneralhome.com