Hendricks, William (1923-2000) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

William C.  Hendricks was born in Lynden, Washington on August 27, 1923.  Hendricks' path to teaching was thrust upon at the age 23. He was on leave from the Army, in his hometown of Lynden when the Ebenezer Christian School Board convinced Hendricks to become their teaching principal for grades fifth through eighth. With only a high school education, Hendricks enrolled at Western Washington State College for their summer school course in preparation for teaching 39 pupils. Fourteen summers sessions later resulted in him earning his B.A. degree, a Master's degree, and a certification both as an administrator and as a kindergarten-through-12 grade teacher.

Hendricks taught at Ebenezer Christian School as teaching principal from 1946 until 1956. He went on to teach at Lynden Christian School, once again as teaching principal from 1956 until 1963. In 1963 Hendricks was offered a faculty position at Calvin College in which he accepted.  His held the positions of Student Teacher Supervisor and Coordinator of Elementary Teacher Education Program. He developed the "green book", a counseling manual, which assisted students and faculty advisors to navigate the relationship of Calvin's courses to the requirements of the Michigan State Code.  Hendricks also wrote instructional books that would be used by many Christian schools. A civics book, Under God, and a book written with a Christian view of the human body, titled God's Temples are two of Hendricks' most revered books. He also wrote numerous other books, handbooks, and articles with a focus on Christian education.

Outside the classroom, Hendricks was still active as a member of various committees. He was an invested member of the Policy Committee of Christian Schools International. He would give speeches and workshops for Christian school teachers across America and Canada. Even after he retired in 1985 he continued to serve as the Curriculum Coordinator, CSI District #7 until 1990.

On a personal level, Hendricks was a lifetime member of the Christian Reformed Church. He served as an elder and as a delegate from Classis Pacific Northwest on the CRC Board of Publications. Hendricks married Marty Van Dalfsen, and together they had three children. Once retired, the Hendricks moved back to Lynden, Washington. William C. Hendricks passed away on October 24, 2000.