Walter Henders

Walter "Pistol" Henders was born in Pickens County on December 27, 1927. In the 1940s, he played football at Oregon with Norm Van Brocklin and John McKay. Henders was drafted into military service, and upon his return from the army, transferred to Livingston College. When the Korean War broke out in the 1950s, he was called back to active duty. Following his military service, Henders coached for 30 years, beginning in 1954, and retired from coaching in Chipley as the third-winningest coach in the state of Florida. He began his career as an assistant coach in Live Oak, Florida, in 1954, then moved to Gordo three years later as an assistant. In 1958, he became the head coach at Linden High School and compiled a record of 79-17-4, including a 39-game winning streak. His career in Linden came before the playoff system for state championships was established, and sports writers voted on the state champion. Between 1962-64 his teams went 29-0-1. Linden was awarded the Mythical State Championship by the Alabama Sports Writers seven times during his tenure there. Henders won seven consecutive bowl games in Linden, then two more in 1970 and 1971 in Chipley. During his head coaching career, his overall record was 192-58-5. There was a Coach Henders Day in Linden after he had retired from Florida. The Linden Armory was filled with his former players, cheerleaders, parents and townspeople showing their affection and appreciation. He and his wife, Kathryn, moved from Linden to Chipley, Fla., to be with their daughter and he passed away in Chipley.