William Keers McHenry Jr.

Jan 22, 1916 - Nov 13, 2003

MCHENRY, WILLIAM KEERS JR., Chairman Emeritus of Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc., passed away Thursday evening November 13, 2003. He was born in South Bend, Indiana on January 22, 1916. Mr. McHenry began his long and illustrious 48 year career with Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. at the age of 39 and served in various capacities culminating as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He served as Chairman Emeritus until his death at age 87. He was a former Treasurer of The United Way of Central Alabama, and was a member of The Country Club of Birmingham and the Rotary Club of Birmingham.

During World War II, he served in the US Army as an officer in North Africa and Italy. Following the war, he served in the U. S. Army Reserve with the 87th Maneuver Area Command in Birmingham, retiring as Colonel.

He graduated from the University of Michigan, where he met his beloved wife, the former Elonia Nelson Persons.

He enjoyed playing gin rummy and bridge and attained Life Master status in bridge. He had a lifelong devotion to the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team and a love for the University of Michigan football and basketball teams.

He was preceded in death by his wife Nelson Persons McHenry.

Survivors include his loving son, John Persons McHenry, his daughter-in-law, Phyllis Sah McHenry, his granddaughter, Elonia Sah McHenry all of Miami, Florida and his sister Catherine Rogers of Shelburne, Vermont, and his sister-in-law, Virginia Persons Stewart of Chagrin Falls, OH.

His Graveside Service will .be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 17 at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:30 to 1:30, Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlors Southside Chapel 205/251-5254 is directing.

In lieu of flowers the suggests donations to United Way or St. Vincent's Hospice.

Article from 17 Nov 2003 Birmingham Post-Herald (Birmingham, AL)

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

05/04/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/142851936/william_keers-mchenry