Rev. William O. “Bill” Poe, 95, of Abilene, Texas, passed away Saturday Dec. 2, 2017, in Abilene, Texas.
He was born in Forrest, Mississippi to William O. Poe, Sr. and Wilmer D. Crout on Nov. 5, 1922. Poe attended R.A. Long High School in Longview, Washington, Pasadena Bible College in California, and Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, where he met Catherine Louise Robertson, who preceeded him in death. They were married on Dec 24, 1946 in St. Louis, Mo.
William “Bill” PoePoe earned a B.S. from Texas Wesleyan University and B.D. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, both in Ft. Worth, Texas. He also received a Masters of Theology degree from Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas. Poe was ordained to the ministry at Calvary Baptist, Enid, Oklahoma on June 10, 1945, and was honored by Immanuel Baptist College and Seminary with a Doctor of Divinity Degree.
He pastored churches in Oklahoma and Missouri and was a full-time evangelist before settling down to pastor Waldo Ave. Baptist Church in Independence, Mo. for 35 years, retiring in 1987. While at Waldo Avenue, the church developed an extensive children’s bus ministry, founded The Independence Christian School (K-12), and built a 900-seat auditorium, educational wing and full gymnasium.
During his career, he conducted over 250 revivals and his sermons were broadcast weekly on KCCV Christian radio in Kansas City. In retirement, William served as interim pastor for numerous churches in the greater Kansas City area, later moving to Abilene, Texas.
Poe is survived by his son, Thomas (Anne), of Oklahoma City, Okla.; daughter, Betsy Duke (John), of Edmond, Okla.; son, Bill (Karen), of Marietta, Ga.; and daughter, Dotty Ingram (Ron), of Abilene, Texas, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Thomas John Poe of Enumclaw, Wash. His sister Beverly D. Yardy, lives in Modesto, Calif.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 5 in Abilene, officiated by his sons, Bill and Tom Poe.
