William Jenkins, Jr.

William McKinley "Preacher Bill" Jenkins, Jr., age 79, died on Saturday, March 26, 2011, at his residence. A native of Haywood County, he was born in a tent on top of Sunburst Mountain to the late William McKinley and Alcie Hutchins Jenkins. At the age of 19, Bill was called to preach one day while hoeing corn in Burnette Cove. Bill's 40 years in ministry spanning from 1956 to 1996 included his earning a bachelor's degree in biblical studies and history from Carson Newman College, a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Seminary and finally a doctorate degree in ministry from International Baptist Seminary while ministering at the following Baptist churches: Morgan Hill in Buncombe County, Buffalo Grove in Jefferson City, TN, Leadvale in White Pine, TN, Emma in Buncombe County, Floyd Springs in Armuchee, GA, Emma's Grove in Fairview, Ratcliffe Cove in Waynesville, and St. Paul in Cleveland County. During many of those years, he served as a bi-vocational minister and worked as a student center manager at Carson Newman College, a teacher and as a registered environmentalist in Jefferson County, TN. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ethel Parker Jenkins; two sons, Randy Jenkins and his wife, Mary, of Waynesville and Ricky Jenkins and his wife, Tommi, of Asheville; seven grandchildren, Amber, John, Kenny, Sallie, Amanda, Daniel, and Brooks; and three great-grandchildren, Emory, Damien, and Jade. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at Oak Grove Baptist Church with the Reverend Bruce Cayton and Reverend Dr. Perry Brindley officiating. Burial will follow at Beaverdam Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Wells Funeral Home of Canton. Memorials may be made to Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721 or to Gideon International – Haywood East Camp, P. O. Box 1204, Canton, NC 28716.

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