Funeral service for Reverend William H. "Bill" Gresham Jr. will be Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2PM at Curtis and Son North Chapel with Brother Rick Patrick officiating. Graveside will follow at Evergreen memorial Cemetery with Brother Steve Heartsill officiating. Visitation will be from 1-2 at the funeral home.
Reverend Gresham was born March 24, 1926 to William Henry Gresham Sr and Sara Elmira Pearson Gresham and passed away December 31, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Catherine Gresham, his parents and 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
His father used to work for the railroad but had to transition to farming. He began to ask his mother to read the bible to them and start at the beginning and not leave anything out. He was saved at the age of 13 and shortly thereafter felt called to the ministry.
After graduation from Dadeville High School, he entered the Army Air Force during 1944-1945 until WWII ended. He attended Howard College in 1952 and Southwestern Seminary in 1953 before having to withdraw but ultimately going back and finishing in 1960.
He met his wife Margaret Catherine Morriss at an Associational meeting at Winterboro Baptist Church where she attended while he was serving as Pastor at Bon Air Baptist Church and they married on November 11,1954. She had previously felt called to be a pastor's wife early in life and actively supported him in all his ministry. He was widely known throughout the area for his compassionate gift of ministry as he would go and pray and sing to people at their bedside, he wanted to glorify Jesus in everything he did. He was patient, forgiving, and demonstrated all the attributes we are to be clothed with not only as a Pastor, Preacher and friend but as a husband and daddy as well.
He served as Pastor at Rock Springs Baptist, New Salem Baptist, Bon Air Baptist before going to Southwestern Seminary after which he was Interim Pastor at Mignon Baptist Church for 13 months before going to Mount Zion Baptist Church where he served before returning to Southwestern Seminary to finish, afterwards he became Pastor at Five Points Baptist Church in June 1960 and retired in April 1989, when they became active members of the First Baptist Church in Sylacauga. After retirement he was Interim Pastor of several churches which includes, 2nd Baptist Church of Weogufka, Old Weogufka Baptist, Grimes Chapel, Browns Chapel, New Site Baptist, Goodwater Baptist and Calvary Heights in Alex City on two different occasions.
He is survived by his daughter, Cathy Lynn Gresham of Hoover.
Brother Gresham loved the verse from Colossians 1:27b and wanted everyone to hear and know it, "Christ IN you, the hope of glory"
The family would like to express great appreciation to Anne Evans, all other caregivers of Mr. Gresham and Coosa Valley Hospice.
In lieu flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church in Sylacauga, Five Points Baptist Church or the International Mission Board
