William B. Henry, Jr.

Blazon of Arms:

Azure a fess wavy cotised between three Celtic crosses formee alisee and a castle of two towers Argent.

Blazon of Crest:

A demi-priest vested Argent with a chasuble Azure bearing a Luther Rose proper.

Motto:

Induite Vos Arma Dei

Badge:

Upon a Celtic cross formee alisee Azure a Luther Rose proper

Rationale:

There are two different meanings to the devices on the shield. First, various branches of the armiger's family arrived in America during the 18th and 19th centuries from Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, hence the use of a variation of the Celtic cross. They settled in and around the Kiskiminetas River Valley of Pennsylvania, and the armiger himself grew up along the Kiskiminetas, hence the fess wavy cotised. The name "Henry" is Germanic in origin and means "Home Ruler"; the name "William" is also Germanic and means "Resolute Guardian" or "Determined Protector"; hence, the armiger's choice of a castle in base. The crosses are three in number representing the armiger, his ancestors, and his descendents (past, present, and future).

The second set of meanings behind the devices on the shield derive from the fact that the armiger is a Lutheran pastor. The three crosses represent Jesus Christ, "the same yesterday, today, and forever." The fess wavy cotised is a reminder that one enters the Family of God, the Church, through the waters of Holy Baptism. The castle is an homage to Martin Luther's most famous hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

Additionally, the armiger's crest and badge reflect the fact that he is an ordained minister of the Church of Jesus Christ within the Lutheran tradition.

Registrations:

Arms assumed 11 June 2007. United States Heraldic Register: 20070611A