William Mcphail

Reverend William H. McPhail holds a strong belief that all people have their own unique gifts, and has dedicated his life to helping others use their gifts to the fullest. A pioneer and leader in his faith community, Bill has been a tireless worker in the Lords service. His unfaltering leadership, his boundless enthusiasm, and his loving compassion will live on in the hearts and memories of all whose lives he touched. His life is an inspiration, calling upon us all to have the courage and faith to give our lives to the Lord. William Howard was born on June 24, 1940, to proud parents William G. and Bertha M. (Culp) McPhail. He was the only boy in the family, but had four sisters: Margie, Cheryl, Sandra, and Karen. The McPhail family lived in Chicago, Illinois, where Bills father earned a living as a machine repairman. Bill spent most of his childhood in the Chicago area, although the family did live in Northern Indiana for a few years. Bill was touched by God at a very young age. When he was only four years old, he happened to hear Billy Graham preach on the radio right then and there, he knew that he was called to be a minister. A few years later, when Bill was eight, he attended a revival meeting with his family. The meeting was held in Cromwell, Indiana, and the preacher was Rev. Loran Helm. On that day, Bill professed his faith in Jesus Christ, beginning a lifelong journey that would span decades and continents, and touch thousands upon thousands of lives. Reverend Helm would later become a lifelong mentor to Bill. At home, the McPhail family attended services at the Church of the Nazarene. They were very musical Bills father could play almost any instrument, and his mother could sing and play the guitar. They passed this love of music on to their son, and Bill learned to play the clarinet, viola, piano, and organ. Later on, he would participate in both the high school band and orchestra. One of the highlights of his young life was marching at the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C. Bill also loved playing basketball. When Bill entered high school he was only 5 ft. 2 inches tall and he didnt make the cut for his school team during his freshman and sophomore years. By his junior year he had grown to nearly 6 ft. 3 inches, and he made the team but gave up his varsity hoops dreams to start a church basketball ministry outreach team. As the years went by, Bill never forgot his dream of being a minister. As a high-schooler, he competed in and won a university-level preaching contest. After he graduated from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Illinois, he went on to Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana. Not only did Bill major in Theology, he also played on Bethel Colleges first basketball team. The Bethel Pilots would later become one of the nations most successful small college basketball programs. While Bill was still at Bethel, he made the acquaintance of a young lady who would change his life forever: Judith Zehrung. Bill and Judy started dating, and soon fell deeply in love. The happy couple was married on June 10, 1961, just after Bill finished his junior year. Bill finished school the following year, and was thrilled to become a father for the first time in the fall of 1962. Over the years, Bill and Judy were blessed with three children: Douglas, Juanita, and Michelle. Fresh out of college, Bill accepted his first pastor ship at Cassopolis Missionary Church of Cassopolis, Michigan. After a few years in Michigan, the family moved on to Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon, where Bill pursued further studies. In 1966, they returned to the Midwest to serve at a church in Burr Oak, Michigan. Within a year, however, Bill accepted a call to move to Clatskanie, Oregon, where he started a new Church of the Nazarene. Bills energy and enthusiasm attracted many new members, and within three years the congregation had grown so much that they were able to erect a new building. In 1969, Bill and his family returned to Michigan, this time to a Wesleyan Church in Mount Pleasant. In 1971, they moved to Muskegon, Michigan, where Bill became the pastor of Central Wesleyan Church. In short order, the church quickly outgrew its location and 6 acres were purchased for a new worship facility in Norton Shores which became known as West Shore Christian Fellowship. It was at West Shore that Bill really began to spread his wings and come into his own. The church grew steadily over the years, and was one of the first interracial faith communities in the area. Bill had a gift for taking different kinds of people and bringing them together of making people see that we are all Gods children. Under Bills guidance, the church established its own school, the West Shore Christian Academy. Bill felt called to reach out beyond his own local faith community, and with his co-Pastor Dan Light created a television ministry with a show called New Wine. Bill and his co-pastor traveled all over the world for the show, broadcasting from destinations as diverse as the Taj Mahal in India, throughout Europe and Israel. The show was rated highly on national Christian networks. Bill appeared regularly in radio broadcasts. Over the years, Bill made 19 trips to Israel, some for the show and some as the leader of Christian Pilgrimages. In 1985, Bill found his entrepreneurial side with the creation of Clergy Card International, a successful travel discount card program for pastors and clergy. In 1990, Bill and Judy left Muskegon to serve a newly formed church in South Bend, Indiana, where they stayed for four years. They then went on to Branson, Missouri, where they founded En Gedi Ministries. In 2004, Bill retired from the pastorate after spending a year in Wichita, Kansas and he and Judy purchased a retirement home in Elkhart, Indiana. Retirement never really seemed to mesh with Bills energy and passion for the Lords work, however, and it wasnt long before he was back in action as an interim pastor at New Life Christian Fellowship Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. He was soon invited to stay as a full-time pastor at New Life and did so until his second retirement in September 2011. Bill was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in October of 2011, just 1 month after his retirement. It is incredible to look back and realize what Bill has accomplished so far in his seventy-two years. With the Lords help, he has established churches, guided congregations, mentored many successful pastors and missionaries all over the world, started and ran an influential television ministry, and because of his passion in the defense of his faith came to be recognized as an elder statesman in his denomination. Most importantly, over the years it has been Bill and Judys desire to pour into the lives of their children and grandchildren. Ever the proud father and grandfather, Bill can often be heard singing the praises of his family. Every night before bed, it has been Bill and Judys routine to pray for each and every family member by name. It has also been his personal desire and life goal to see each and every one of his children and grandchildren seeking and following the will of God in their lives. Generous, charismatic, faith-filled and passionate, William Howard McPhail is a devoted husband, a loving father, and a teacher and guide to countless thousands of congregants. It was in his nature to take the road less traveled, and he carved out a path which led many, many people home to the Lord. Bills loving family includes his wife, Judith; his son, Douglas McPhail; his daughters, Juanita (Phil) Richey and Michelle (Brad) Fish; his grandchildren, Cameron McPhail, Thomas McPhail, Taylor McPhail, Evan Bridwell, Micah (Heidi) Richey, Drew (Bre) Richey, Jared Richey, Mattea Richey, Braden Fish, Mason Fish, Payton Fish, and Ashlyn Fish; and his sisters, Cheryl McPhail, Sandra (Audie) Whitaker, and Karen (Joe) Culver. He was preceded in death by his sister, Margie.