News Letter Boss Captain Henderson Buried

A former WWII Army officer who went on to become the proprietor of the Belfast News Letter was buried this afternoon. Captain Bill Henderson OBE, who personally supervised the running of what is the oldest English language newspaper in the world from its former HQ in Belfast's Donegall Street, died on Friday morning after a short illness.

He was interred following a 1pm service in St Mark's Parish Church, Dundela in east Belfast.

The 86-year-old was Chairman and Managing Director of Century Newspapers, which published the News Letter, and he was also a founding director of Ulster Television, where his late brother Brum was Managing Director.

The News Letter, founded in 1737, was in the ownership of the Henderson family from 1804 to 1991.

Capt Henderson was a hands-on proprietor who was omnipresent in the newspaper's offices and was also active in the Royal British Legion and associated ex-service bodies.

He served in the Irish Guards during the Second World War and true to his wishes; donations in lieu of flowers at his funeral will be given to the services charity, Help for Heroes.

Adding the Captain's full name to the many tributes being made last week, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader, Tom Elliott said: "Captain Oscar William James Henderson was an Ulster Unionist MP for Victoria, East Belfast, and a Patron of the Ulster Unionist Party and he made a huge contribution to unionism throughout Northern Ireland.

"His achievements - his dedication and his vision helped shape the Unionism of today. Through his work in the media and his military career he promoted the best for the people of Northern Ireland and I am honoured to lead the Party he was so involved in."

Former party boss, the East Belfast MLA, Sir Reg Empey added: "Bill was a life long member of the Ulster Unionist Party and played a vital role during his time as MP and continued to do so even when he stepped away from the frontline of politics. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him in his local Victoria Association."

"His passion went further than politics however and he also played a positive role in Northern Ireland's media in both the Belfast Newsletter which his family owned and in UTV as a director.

"Bill was a gentleman and an honourable man who promoted positive Unionism throughout East Belfast and across Northern Ireland. His efforts and continued support will be greatly missed," said the former UUP leader.

(BMcC/GK)