FROM THE ASHEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT (full release)
The Asheville Police Department regrets to announce the passing of retired Chief of Police Fred W.L. Hensley, Sr., age 80, of Asheville. Chief Hensley passed Saturday, December 24, 2011.

Mr. Hensley was born August 22, 1931, in Kings Mountain. He served four years in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He began his career with the Asheville Police Department on January 31, 1959. He worked his way up through the ranks and became the Chief of Police in 1979 until his retirement in April 1989. Among his many accomplishments, he was a graduate of the FBI Academy Quantico, Va.; US Secret Service Dignitary Protection Academy, Washington, DC; Institute of Government, Chapel Hill; held a North Carolina Realtor’s License, and was property manager for Windswept Views Condominium Association for 12 years. Mr. Hensley was a lifetime member of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Hicks Hensley, four sisters, and one brother.

Surviving are his wife of 22 years, Rebecca Hensley; children, Laura Qunell and husband Don, Marlene Hucks and husband David, all of South Carolina; Teresa Hensley, Penny Luther, Debbie Branch, all of Asheville; Fred Hensley, II, of Bristol Tenn.; sister, Bonnie Smith of Casper, Wyo.; six grandchildren; two great granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 29, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home (17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville). Burial will be in West Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Asheville Police Department Explorer Program, PO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the WNC Baptist Retirement Home for the exceptional care that he received.

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Hensley’s obituary at http:///www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.