Henry Eugene Island was born March 24, 1945 in Beland, Oklahoma, the first of two children born to Henry Jr. and Willie Mae Cannady Island. Henry was raised in the household of his Grandma and Grandpa Sally B. and George Nunley, who taught him the value of working and earning a living. He attended school in Beland, Summit and Muskogee.

At an early age (10) he joined and was baptized at St, James Baptist Church in Beland under the leadership of Rev. N.N. Lee. In later years, Henry made himself available as needed by Flipper Chapel A.M.E. Church of Taft.

Henry joined the U.S. Marine Corp at seventeen and quickly learned that instructions are meant to be followed. After that stint, he returned to Beland and began working highway construction. Henry joined the Laborers Union Local 1207 in Tulsa and retired with 30 years of service, the last 10 years with Williams Construction Co. of Pryor, OK.

He was united in marriage to Gloria Scott Cannon in March, 1975 and their blended family consisted of four sons and two daughters. In the early morning of December 8, 2020, he slipped quietly away. The family preceding him in death were his parents, two sons, Roy Eugene and Brandon Carlos, two sisters, and one brother.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Gloria, 2 sons, Xanthus (Janette) Houston, Muskogee, OK, Jon McDowell (and PaPa's special girl Tracy L. Haigler), Milford, DE, 2 daughters, Carla Cannon (Darryl) Butler and Kristina Cannon of Taft, OK, a daughter-in-law, Mattie Miller, Muskogee, OK, 1 brother, Verdie (Martha) Craig, of Ardmore, OK, 3 sisters, Brenda Ashby of Kansas City, MO, Janice (Daryl) Workcuff, Missouri City, TX, and Jacqueline-Neicy Mondaine, Houston, TX, 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren

A Home Going Service will be conducted on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. in the Precious Memories Chapel, of House of Winn Funeral Home, 2200 Military Blvd, Muskogee, OK.  Interment will follow in Ft. Gibson National Cemetery, Ft. Gibson, OK. with U.S. Marine Honors. Visitation, Monday, December 14, 2020, 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL SERVICES

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home, Muskogee.