17 Facts About Jim Hensley

James Willis Hensley was an American businessman in the beer industry.

Jim Hensley was born in Texas and moved to Arizona during his youth.

Jim Hensley was a bombardier on B-17 Flying Fortresses during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

One of Arizona's richest men at the time of his death, Jim Hensley was the father of Cindy Jim Hensley McCain and the father-in-law of United States Senator and 2000 and 2008 presidential candidate John McCain.

Jim Hensley married Mary Jeanne Parks, his high school sweetheart, around 1937, and worked as a paper salesman.

Jim Hensley served three years as an officer in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Jim Hensley was injured during his service, and sent to a West Virginia medical facility to recover.

Jim Hensley divorced his wife, and shortly thereafter married Marguerite on March 29,1945, in Memphis, Tennessee, while on leave from the USAAF.

Jim Hensley received a six-month sentence while his brother received a year in federal prison, and both were fined.

In December 1952, the Hensley brothers bought into the Ruidoso Downs racetrack in New Mexico, with Eugene running it and Jim returning to Phoenix.

The Hensley brothers gained their Ruidoso Downs racetrack license in 1953, as no New Mexico law barred convicted felons from race track ownership, although in 1955 new Governor of New Mexico John F Simms said he was "appalled" by the previous administration's decision to do so.

Jim Hensley sold his interest in Ruidoso Downs to his brother Eugene in 1955.

In 1955, Jim Hensley founded the beer distributorship that bore his name, borrowing $10,000 against everything he had to buy a small existing distributorship.

Jim Hensley was given a state liquor license despite his normally disqualifying past felony conviction.

Jim Hensley had distanced himself from Marley, and had helped set up a local hospital; nevertheless, he was never fully accepted by the Phoenix establishment.

Jim Hensley was a major contributor to charity in the Phoenix metropolitan area as well, starting the Hensley Family Foundation.

Jim Hensley supported groups such as NASCAR and Gilbert Rodeo Days.