Henry H. Bethel was born to the late Mattie P. and Herschel H. Bethel on August 3, 1953 in Buffalo, New York.

Henry who has been called "Sonny" went to school in Buffalo, New York until the family moved to Detroit, where the family on his mother's side lived.

Sonny went to the Detroit Public Schools system where he graduated from Chadsey High School.

Henry joined the United States Army and was stationed four years in Germany. Sonny returned home and was employed by the Woo Family where he worked for many years. During this time he loved taking his niece Dawn which he lovingly called "egg head" and his nephew Robert "man" along with him in his van, as he made his deliveries.

Sonny was a bit of a free spirit, always a jokester, always clowning around; he also loved reading as well as collecting Marvel Comic books. Star Trek was one of his favorite TV shows. When roles reversed, his niece would take him to the movies and get him his favorite candy "snow caps".

Even though Sonny had medical issues, he didn't let it get him down, but after this last entrance to the hospital then to a nursing facility, the Lord took Sonny home to be with Him.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his sister, Velma Ragland; nieces and nephews, Dawn M. Mears, Robert L. Bethel, Coralee R. Woods-Kirkland, Tommie R.K. Kirkland who preceded him in death and Delano Brown-Ragland; great-nieces, great-nephews, a host of aunts, cousins, and friends.

Interment: Great Lakes National Cemetery