Preacher Bill Whisnant

Preacher Bill Whisnant, 89, of Morganton, NC went to his Heavenly home on Thursday, March 19, 2015.  Born in Davie County, NC on March 4, 1926, he was the son of the late Walter Rhyne Whisnant and Janie Mae Beck Whisnant.  Preacher Bill graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible College.  He pastored at Hartland Baptist Church in Morganton, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Old Fort, and Corinth Baptist Church in Casar.  He served as an interim pastor for several area churches and enjoyed doing ministries at campgrounds and nursing homes.  Preacher Bill was a member of Mt. Home Baptist Church.  He especially loved his quarterly gatherings for food and fellowship with his “Friends of Preacher Bill”.  He invited everyone he saw.

Before going into the ministry, he attended the Spencer School of Watchmaking.  Along with his family, he moved to Morganton in 1950 and began working at Roy’s Jewelry Store and Morrow’s Jewelry Store.  Preacher Bill was a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, Burkemont Council 44.

Preacher Bill is survived by his daughter, Shirley Snipes and her husband, Travis, of Morganton; grandchildren, Kirk Franklin and his wife, Cheryl, Rhonda Lee and her husband, David, Justin Snipes and his wife, Brandy, Regina Huntley and her husband, Greg, and Brandi Behlke and her husband, Rein; great-grandchildren, Derek, Lauren, Kristen, Rylan, Brooks, Jordan, Bradley, Emma, and Deacon; a huge number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members; and his good buddy, Benny Storie.

In addition to his parents, Preacher Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Lamb Whisnant; a son, Mike Whisnant; an infant daughter, Diane Whisnant; and two brothers, Gene and Everett Whisnant.

The celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Mt. Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating.  The family will receive friends Friday, March 27, 2015 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.  Burial will be held at Burke Memorial Park at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Home Baptist Church, Graceful Giving Fund, 2272 Mt. Home Church Road, Morganton, NC 28655.