On December 9, 2023, Thomas "Tommy" Joseph Hensen passed from this life, 85 years young and surrounded by family. Tommy was born to Albert and Victoria (Wilhelm) Hensen on April 13, 1938 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After graduating from St. Anne's Academy in 1956, Tommy went on to become a four-year letterman and All-AIC at Arkansas Tech University as an offensive guard and tackle.

Tommy was a menace on the football field as Tech's team captain, but he could tear up the dance floor—those closest to him knew him as "Woogie." He graduated in 1960 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Geology. On August 20, 1960, Tommy married the love of his life, Tommie Irene Olive. They served as an example of love and cornerstone of the Springdale community for 63 long years.

Tommy entered the United States Army on February 19, 1961, serving two years in active duty and four years in the Army reserves. Tommy served domestically and internationally, deployed in Worms, Germany for the latter portion of his active-duty service. Tommy was recognized  and subsequently discharged with honorable service, having achieved the rank of Captain.

After the birth of his two children, Tommy opened TnT Napa Auto Parts in Fayetteville in 1972. He retired in 1996 after selling the store to his son and daughter-in-law in 1994. Tommy was a devout member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springdale, serving as a member of the Men's Club, Cursillo, and the Finance and Building Committees.

Tommy is survived in death by his wife, Tommie; son and daughter-in-law, Brett Philip and Shirley Hensen; daughter and son-in-law, Bridget Patrice and Vance Allen Wilson, along with their daughter, Peyton Blaise Wilson, Tommy's only grandchild.

Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the reciting of the Rosary to begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 14th at Heritage Funeral Home in Springdale. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 Friday, December 15th at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springdale, with a burial to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Tontitown (East Fletcher Avenue). Tommy will be laid to rest by six of Springdale's finest: Greg Jones, Greg Collier, Phil Martin Hanby, Glenn Jones, Carl "Curly" Combs, and "Coach" Jarrell Williams.

As Roy Rogers—Tommy's favorite—would say, "If there were no valleys of sadness and death, we could never really appreciate the sunshine of happiness on the mountain top." Until we meet again, Tommy, may the good Lord take a likin' to you.