Entered into eternal rest on the afternoon of October 18, 2008, William Jelfs Henning, Commander US Navy retired. Residence, Charleston, SC. The relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral services, Tuesday at eleven o'clock at the Graveside, St. Philip's Episcopal Churchyard. Commander Henning was born July 25, 1918 in Trinidad, CO, the son of John Henning and Cassie DeFore Henning. He attended schools in Trinidad, CO and Raton, NM, graduating high school in Raton in 1936. Commander Henning entered the US Naval Academy in 1937 and graduated in February 1941 as a member of the first class to graduate early just prior to World War II. His World War II service as a junior officer included duty in USS Long through 1944 as Executive Officer. From 1944 to the end of World War II he was assigned as Gunnery Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood which participated in the carrying of air strikes against Okinawa and Japan, and was present at the surrender ceremony in Japan. After World War II, Commander Henning had command of USS Towhee and was involved in the mine clearance of the Japanese home waters. Following this duty he was ordered to Charleston, SC as Commander of Mine Division Ten of the Mine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He was subsequently ordered to duty as Flag Secretary to Commander Mine Force. In 1948 he was ordered to duty in Washington, DC on the staff of the Naval Inspector General, and in that year was married to Madge Hall McCrady of Charleston. During the Korean War, he served as Executive Officer of USS Rogers and Commanding Officer of the USS Hanson. Subsequent duty included staff positions at Headquarters Allied Forces, Mediterranean, Malta, Commander Mine Squadron Nine in Long Beach, CA, and staff and instructor duty at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. He retired from active duty in June, 1961. He and his family returned to Charleston, SC and established their home there in 1961. He maintained membership in St. Philip's Episcopal Church where he was a faithful church mouse who welcomed tourists and visitors into the church. He was a member of the U.S.N.A. Alumni Association. He is survived by two sons, William Jelfs Henning, Jr. of Charleston, SC and John McCrady Henning of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He is predeceased by his first wife,Madge McCrady Henning in March, 1966 and his second wife, Mary Branch Pelzer in June, 2003.