Dr. Richard William Hensley, Dds

Dr. Richard William “Rick” Hensley, DDS, 65, Ridgeland, SC, died unexpectedly Monday, August 22, 2016, at Coastal Carolina Medical Center, Hardeeville, SC. Dr. Hensley was born November 28, 1950 in Johnson City, to Mary F. Hensley, Johnson City, and the late William “Mac” Hensley. Rick was a 1968 graduate of University High School, received his B.S. Degree from Milligan College in 1971, his Masters Degree in Bio-Chemistry from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1975, worked in cancer research with St. Jude’s Hospital, Duke University from 1975-77, then finally received his Doctorate from The University of Tennessee Dental School, Memphis, in 1981. Dr. Hensley opened his first dental office in Roan Mountain in 1981, then practiced briefly in Johnson City before moving and practicing dentistry in Beaufort, SC for 26 years. Rick served as a missionary, providing dental service in the Ivory Coast in Africa. After moving to Africa in 1998, Dr. Hensley provided dental service to needy patients until he returned to his dental practice in Beaufort in late 1999, where he continued working until the time of his death. Rick was raised in Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, where he was very active and as a youth, held several positions. He was a member of Compassion Christian Church, Savannah, GA, where he provided dental services for missionaries. He was a loving husband, loved his family, and could do or fix anything, which earned him the nickname “MacGyver”. In addition to his father, Rick was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Ronald “Ronnie” Hensley. In addition to his mother, Dr. Hensley is survived by his wife, Linda R. Driggers Hensley, Ridgeland, SC; his sons, Richard McKinley Hensley, Memphis, Dr. William Matthew Hensley and wife Rachel, Russellville, and Thomas Ronald Maxwell Hensley, Johnson City; his grandchildren, Hadley Brooke Hensley and William Clay Hensley. Memorial Services will be held at 6:30 pm, Thursday, September 8, 2016 at The Baptist Church of Beaufort, 600 Charles St., Beaufort, SC with the Reverend Cam Huxford officiating. It would be Rick’s wishes to have donations made to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital in his memory.