William O. Poe

William Oliver Poe, 95, of Abilene, Texas, passed away Saturday December 2, 2017, in Abilene, Texas. He was preceded in death by his brother Thomas John Poe of Enumclaw, Washington. His sister Beverly D. Yardy, lives in Modesto, Calif. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday afternoon, December 5th, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, in Abilene. Officiating will be his sons, Bill Poe of Marietta, Ga., and Rev. Tom Poe of Oklahoma City, Okla. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. William was born in Forrest, Mississippi to William O. Poe, Sr. and Wilmer D. Crout on November 5, 1922. He 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. They were married on Dec 24, 1946 in St. Louis, Mo. William graduated from Texas Wesleyan Univ. Ft. Worth, Texas with a B.S. Degree, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Ft. Worth with a B.D. Degree, and Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas with a Masters of Theology degree. He was ordained to the ministry at Calvary Baptist, Enid, Oklahoma on Jun 10, 1945 and was honored by Immanuel Baptist College and Seminary with a Doctor of Divinity Degree. William 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, 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. Bill and Louise moved from Independence, Missouri to Abilene, Texas in 2001. Louise passed away December 21st, 2012, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. During her illness, Bill lovingly served as her primary care giver. William is survived by his son, Thomas Poe and his wife, Anne, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; daughter, Betsy Duke and her husband, John, of Edmond, Okla.; son, Bill Poe and his wife, Karen, of Marietta, Ga.; daughter, Dotty Ingram and husband, Ron, of Abilene, Texas. His grandchildren include Jonathan and Leslie Poe, Todd Poe, Melanie and Chris Hunt, Austin and Ashley Shrader, Michael and Myra Shrader, Kyle and Amy Turner, Nelson and Rachel Ingram, and Nathanael Poe. His great-grandchildren include Riggins, Rhett and Wylie Poe, Alexa Padilla, Gabe and Bella Shrader, Eli and Kate Shrader, and Caroline, Jack and William Turner. Pallbearers will be grandsons Austin Shrader, Kyle Turner, Jonathan Poe, Todd Poe, Nelson Ingram, Michael Shrader and Nathanael Poe. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Lindale of Abilene, Wesley Court, and Hendrick Hospice. We are especially grateful to Delores Ray who has lovingly cared for Bill the past 6 years.