Mr. Charles Hairl Hensley's Obituary
Charles Hairl Hensley, age 81, died Sunday December 31, 2017. Hairl was an honored and celebrated country music radio personality and "Dean of the Grand Ole Opry Announcers". He was a native of Madisonville, Tennessee and was first heard as a radio announcer at WDEH in nearby Sweetwater and later for the Tennessee Barn Dance on WNOX in Knoxville.
After gaining notoriety, he moved to Nashville where he worked for WKDA, WMAK and served as Program Director at both WLAC and WSM. In 1972, he began a 35 year career with WSM Radio and Announcer at the Grand Ole Opry. His honors include 1975 Country Music Association Broadcast Personality of the Year and in 1995, Hairl received the industry’s highest honor with induction into the County Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame. In 2000, he received the Golden Voice Awards Radio Personality Award and in 2014, Hairl was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. The Radio Hall of Fame called him "one of the nicest guys in the business."
Preceded in death by his parents Curtis Hairl Hensley and Dorotha Wright Hensley, sister Oneta Peters and wife Paula Jones Hensley. Survived by sisters Letha Merritt and Dodie (Paul) Greene, children Lisa (Scott) Metzel, Hairl Scott (Karen) Hensley, and Bronie (Jay) Victory; stepchildren Susan (Steve) Cowden and Robert (Betsy) Kennedy, adopted child by choice Gina Earheart, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The family also includes his special friend and dedicated caregiver Crissy (Bill) Fredenberger who walked with him in life and stayed with him until he left this earthly home and went to Heaven. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Spring Hill Funeral Home, 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2018. Visitation from 12:00-2:00 prior to the service. Hairl will be laid to rest on Saturday, January 6, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 510 W Main St, Franklin, TN 37064. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214 or the Nashville Rescue Mission, 639 Lafayette St, Nashville, TN 37203. Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN 37216, 615-865-1101.
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