On behalf of the local congregation . . .

Brother William Allen Wilson was the pastor of the Church of God, located at 6th and W. Locust Streets, for 29 years. During that time, the congregation greatly multiplied in number, and he directed the building of the new church adjoining the old structure.

Brother Wilson was born January 1, 1885, in Rocky Fork. He was the son on John E. and Electa (Miller) Wilson. In his early years, Brother Wilson was a farmer.

On November 11, 1908, Nora Elizabeth Davis was united in marriage to William Allen Wilson, both of Rocky Fork. To this union was born four daughters and one son.

In 1921 Brother Wilson was called to the ministry and spent four years as pastor of his home church. He was ordained August 17, 1925, and accepted a call to the Church of God, where he served until his death.

For many years Brother Wilson had a vision of a camp ground for the Church of God in the Newark area. His vision became a reality in September of 1954 when a tract of land, later to be called "God's Acres," was purchased from Raymond Marriott.

Brother Wilson often expressed that he would not live to see the grounds put into God's service, and so it happened. Stricken with a heart attack shortly after he retired Saturday night (11:30 p.m.), October 2, 1954, Brother Wilson, age 69, was called home to his eternal reward. He apparently had been in his usual health that day. The congregation was shocked and grieved at his sudden passing. He left a memory as Paul, the Apostle, of one who "was not disobedient to the heavenly vision."

Surviving were his widow, the former Nora E. Davis; daughters, Mrs. Carl McKnight, Mrs. Homer Kelley, Mrs. Howard Prior, Mrs. Gilbert Swartz; one son, Emerson Wilson, of the home; also fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild; three brothers, John, Edgar, and Arthur Wilson. Two sisters are deceased.

The funeral service was held the following Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Brother E. M. Berry of Bridgeport officiated and burial was in the Rocky Fork Cemetery.