One of Bill’s greatest attributes was a protector of family. His name actually means “Protector”. Bill loved his family greatly. It saddened Bill when he could no longer be a protector. Bill told me, Pat, his wife, how much he loved me several times on a daily basis. He always told me how beautiful I am. Bill was very generous with his praise!
Bill had an evangelistic heart. He won many souls for Jesus. I am sure he has already received his soul winner’s crown. Bill had the privilege to go on four missionary trips. One hundred and twenty men were saved in one service in Honduras. We founded and pastored two churches and traveled in ministry for about five years. We have led prayer meetings and bible studies.
Bill loved to tell stories. He also wrote a play about “The Blood of an Innocent Man”.
He had a wonderful sense of humor. He eyes would twinkle when he told jokes or his stories, which were often humorous.
Bill has been a hard worker since age 6, when he sold donuts out of his bicycle basket. In his early years, he drove a truck. He enjoyed eighteen wheelers. The last thirty years of life, Bill was self employed as an accountant and tax preparer.
Bill came near death in 1992. He was in septic shock and he received several miracles. The surgeon gave us a 10% chance that Bill would live and if he lived through the surgery, he might not recover. The surgeon said if he recovered, he might have brain damage. Bill recovered over a period of three months and attended Victory Bible School in Tulsa, Oklahoma during that time frame. He gained all his memory and his abdomen healed much sooner than expected.
Bill honored the Lord throughout our marriage of over fifty-five years. He always attempted to put the Lord first and me second. I never had any doubt how much I was loved and adored.
The last year and a half was a struggle. Bill’s health gradually deteriorated. He kept the faith and hope for a miracle. We rejoice that he has no more pain or suffering! The last two days of Bill’s life, he could not speak, but he blew me a kiss. I will treasure that action until I join him in Heaven.
Bill is survived by his wife, Pat Goff; one son, Stephen Goff and wife, Becky of Fort Smith; three grandchildren, Destiny, Michael and Hadley and one great grandchild, Senna.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 12 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with interment at Liberty Cemetery. Viewing will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday before the service begins.
Honorary pallbearers will be Duane Blackmon and Ted Flynn.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Israel to Sid Roth, It’s Supernatural, P.O. Box 39222, Charlotte, NC 28278 or Christ for the World, 4401 Windsor Dr., Fort Smith, AR 72904.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
