Carl Wayne Henderson, aged 81, passed away peacefully on March 29th, 2026, after a 40 year battle with multiple sclerosis. Born to Archie and Dorothy (Roderick) Henderson on January 13,1945 in Anaconda, MT, and grew up in Opportunity. Carl was a pillar of strength and one to admire in how he handled adversity with such resilience and grace. He lived a life marked by generosity, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to the people he cherished.

A man of deep integrity, Carl built his life around simple but powerful values: hard work, kindness, and loyalty. He was the steady hand his family relied on, the voice of reason in difficult moments, and the source of laughter and warmth in everyday life. Whether he was offering guidance or sharing stories (usually funny and questionable if they were truthful ones), he always made those around him feel supported and seen.

Carl graduated from Anaconda High School in 1964 and then went on to pursue a teaching degree from Montana Western College in Dillion, MT in 1969. It was there that he excelled in both football and track and would later be inducted to the Hall of Fame for both. He was inducted in 1989 for his individual accolades for Football, then 2017 for the 1967 Football team, and then again in 2023 for the 1966-67 Track team. The biggest success he had in Dillon was meeting the love of his life Kerel (Peters) Henderson. The real life fairy tale of the cheerleader and the football player was created when they met in their economics class. This love grew and continued for 59 years of marriage before he passed.  They moved to Chariton, Iowa where he taught and coached before moving to Huntley, MT to continue this career in the Billings Public Schools. His last place of employment was working for the Huntley Project Irrigation District as agriculture was a valued part of his life. During their time in Huntley, they raised two boys Scott and Shayne. They would become his favorite hunting, fishing and sports watching buddies. If he wasn't in the mountains with them or watching sports with them, he was following and supporting them in all their own sporting events. He also enjoyed teaching them the value and importance of certain life lessons that come from farming and raising animals. He did this through having them participate in 4H and working on their land.  He spent many hours with his boys and their animals as well as teaching them about all the other farm duties around their home. He enjoyed being able to teach them how to drive the tractors, pitch haybales and any other chores around the farm which taught them how doing hard work pays off.  He was a man of few words, but what he would say always made you laugh and you may or may not have always questioned the validity of the story he was telling because of his delivery and style of it. His sarcastic personality and quick wit were infectious and enjoyable to all who loved him. His grandkids will always be the highlight of his life and being able to share his country living with all 3 of them before their move to Butte were some of his fondest memories there. Whether it was riding all over through their fields in his gator with Chloe, watching mountain monsters and fishing the Yellowstone with Beau or watching Brea climb the dirt piles and get muddy in their garden, he enjoyed every minute he spent with them in Huntley. Popsicles and fudgesicles on the back porch and discussing life with them were his favorite memories.  It wasn't until 2017 that they decided to move back to his roots and be closer to his family. It allowed him to attend more of his grandkids' sporting events and to make many more lasting memories for all of them to cherish.

He is survived by his wife Kerel, sons and daughters-in-law, Scott (Traci) Henderson, Shayne (Jodi) Henderson, grandchildren Chloe, Beau and Brea, Sister Shirley Wendt, Brothers-in-law Ken Peters and Kon(Ginny) Peters, and among all the numerous his nieces and nephews, Beth Pavlik and Sandy (Charlie) Johnson will always hold a special place in his heart.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Archie and Dorothy (Roderick) Henderson, Brother Robert Henderson and Sister Dorothy Jean Van Overbeke, Brother-in-law Ray Wendt, Henry and Bernice Peters, Brother-in-law Keith Peters, Sister-in-law Kae Pavlik.

A celebration of his life will be held on Monday April 6th,2026 in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel starting at 10 am with visitation and services beginning at 11am. A private burial service for family will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to St. Judes Children's Hospital, an organization close to his heart.

A special thank you to Virginia, Micheal, Kira, and Leslie with Honeybee Hospice as well as Nichole and Shawnee for your amazing and always compassionate care.

His presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit remains a guiding light to all who knew him.