William M. Belcher

William M. Belcher, D.D. Candler - Pastor/Evangelist, Dr. William M. (Bill) Belcher, 89, of Homestead Road, went to be with the Lord, Monday, January 5, 2004, from Magnolia Health Care Center, Asheville, after a long period of declining health. He was born February 12, 1914, the son of the late Walt and Maude Fowler Belcher in Greenville, SC. God called him to be a preacher of the gospel of Christ soon after his conversion to Christ in 1934. He conducted tent revivals for several years and was ordained as a Baptist minister by the Cedar Lane Baptist Church, Greenville, SC in 1943. He organized the Westville Baptist Church in Greenville, SC and served as their pastor for several years. Other churches where he served as pastor include Pleasant View Welcome Baptist, Travelers Rest, SC, Island Ford Baptist, Jonesville, NC, Tuxedo Baptist, Tuxedo, NC, Roberta Baptist, Concord, NC, Central Falls Baptist, Asheboro, NC, Zion Hill Baptist, Marion, NC, Mt. Pisgah Baptist, Candler, NC and Mt. Sinai Baptist, Pickens, SC. Following his retirement from the pastorate, he was a full time evangelist for 20 years. He faithfully preached the Word of God until his health began to fail in 1993. He was a graduate of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, Hendersonville, NC and received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Tabernacle Baptist Bible College, Greenville, SC. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clyde and Bob Belcher of Greenville, SC and by his loving wife, Clara G. Belcher, who faithfully served the Lord, by his side, for sixty-five years, until her death in 1999. They had lived in Candler, NC since 1965. Surviving members of his family include one daughter, Carolyn B. Wright, and her husband Ricky, of Candler, NC, who diligently cared for him during his time of sickness; one son, Rev. Ralph Belcher, and his wife Joyce, of E. Flat Rock, NC; three grandsons, Chris Belcher, and his wife April, Kerry Belcher, and his wife Kristy and Jason Belcher. Also surviving are two great grandchildren, Christian and Ashlyn Belcher; one niece and four nephews. The family expresses their gratitude to the workers and dietary staff on the west wing of Magnolia Health Care Center for their compassionate care of our father during his sickness. Family visitation will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, Shelburne Road, Asheville from 7 pm until 9 pm Tuesday. Funeral service will be conducted 11 am Wednesday at Trinity Baptist Church, where he was a member. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The Revs. Jerry Sizemore, Charles Pearce, Jack Oates, Steve Smith and Dr. Ralph Sexton, Jr. will officiate. Pallbearers will be Revs. Jack Cleary, Vernon Gales, Ricky McCarson, Larry Stone and Bro. David Ingle. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is in charge of arrangements.