William A. Henderson

Chair Member

General William Henderson is the retired Commander Headquarters Michigan Air National Guard. He began his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served for 10 years as a fighter pilot flying the F-4 Phantom. He served with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Viet Nam flying 125 combat missions, and with the 1 st Marine Division as a Forward Air Controller. Upon his return to the United States he became an F-4 Check Pilot, Instructor Pilot and Amphibious Warfare School graduate.

General Henderson left the Marine Corps and joined the General Motors Corporation as a corporate pilot eventually becoming Chief Pilot and Director of Flight Operations. While employed at General Motors, he joined the Marine Corps Reserves at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mt Clemons Michigan. When the unit moved their aviation assets out of state, he joined the Michigan Air National Guard, where he flew the F-100 Saber and the A-7 Corsair for 13 years. He eventually moved to the state headquarters and was promoted to Major General, retiring in 1997 with 34 years of combined active duty and reserve military service.

General Henderson retired from General Motors in 2003 after 28 years of service and resides in Ypsilanti, Michigan.