Hendsley 'Hench' Randolph 'Randy' Conner
Hendsley “Hench” Randolph “Randy” Conner, 92, passed away Friday, July 12, 2024.
Randy was born Oct. 27, 1931 in McComas, W.Va. to Doctor Huff and Gracie Ann Conner.
He graduated from Princeton High School in 1949 and enlisted in the Air Force on Jan. 23, 1950. He entered Aviation Cadet School in 1952 and graduated as a 2nd Lt. Navigator in 1953.
Hench, his nickname while in the Air Force, became a pilot in 1955. Over the next 25 years, he was stationed at 16 different bases, including a three-year tour in Japan. Randy flew over 200 combat missions over Vietnam in 1966-67 in the B-57 bomber and was awarded the Silver Star. In 1967, he was transferred to Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, where he joined the B-52 SAC bomber wing.
In 1972, he was sent to Guam in order to fly B-52 bombing missions over Vietnam. In December 1972, while he was riding along as an observer, his B-52 was hit by a surface-to-air missile and crashed in Thailand. As other members of the crew ejected, and not having an ejection seat of his own, Randy had to wait for the navigator to eject and then climb down through the hole left behind to make his own jump. For this, he and the crew were awarded the Purple Heart. Ask his son Kevin for the "rest of the story."
In 1975, Randy was transferred to Blytheville AFB in Arkansas as a full colonel and the Wing Director of Operations. He retired in September 1979. Other medals he was awarded included two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 14 air medals.
Randy was a longtime member of the Bainbridge Church of Christ.
Randy is survived by his son, David Kevin Conner; his daughter, Kathy and her husband, Ken; his grandson, Franklin Randolph Ventura and his wife Stephanie; his granddaughter, Brandi Jade Ventura; four brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his best friend and wife of 69 years, Fay Johnston Conner, with whom he eloped Feb. 16, 1954. Also preceding him in death were his son, Kerry Randolph Conner; four brothers; three sisters; 12 brothers-in-law; 10 sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro and also Friday, July 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Directory in Princeton, W.Va. Burial, with military honors presented by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard, will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 17 from 4-6 p.m. at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro and Friday, July 19 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Directory in Princeton, W.Va.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.