Three-and-a-half months after Sherman Hemsley's death from lung cancer, an El Paso, Texas court has finally put an end to the bickering over his estate – and body.
Because of uncertainty over who was his rightful beneficiary, "The Jeffersons" star's body was being kept on ice at an El Paso funeral home since his passing in August. Six weeks before prior to Hemsley's death, a will had been drafted, but burial plans were halted after Richard Thornton, a man claiming to be the actor's half-brother, challenged its validity.
"My client is planning on a military funeral for Mr. Hemsley at Fort Bliss National Cemetery here in El Paso," said attorney Alexander Neill. "Mr. Hemsley previously served in the United States Air Force and thus, is eligible for a military funeral. At the present, we are waiting for all of the final orders to be entered by the Court so the funeral plans can proceed."
Estate records show that the value of Hemsley's estate was $50,000.
