Thurston

The Rev. William E. Thurston of Lakeland, Fla., went into the presence of his Savior on Sunday at the home of his daughter, Rebecca Jenks, in East Butler.

He was born in Kerrmor, Pa., on June 7, 1926, to Oscar and Mary Catherine Thurston.

He is survived by his loving wife, Emma, of 58 wonderful years, who he married on Aug. 7, 1953, in Cherryville, Pa. He was blessed by three children, Rebecca Jenks and her husband, Richard, of Butler, Wesley Thurston and his wife, Sandi, of Frenchville and April Skinner and her husband, Alex, of Mansfield, Texas. He enjoyed the love of his grandchildren, Nicole VanBrussel and her husband, Pete, Nathaniel Thurston and his wife, Kim, Hileigh Armenta, Skyller Armenta, Ethan Jenks, Richard Jenks II and his wife, Jessica, Alex Skinner Jr., David Jenks and his wife, Tracey, Stephanie Lee and her husband, Matt, and Sherri Owens and her husband, Justin. Thirteen great-grandchildren added joy to his life.

After serving in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, Bill graduated from Eastern Pilgrim Bible College in 1956, and was ordained as a minister in the Pilgrim Holiness Church in 1957. He served the Lord joyfully for 35 years as a pastor, missionary and evangelist in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Dakota and New York before he retired in 1991.

He also was employed by the Department of Public Welfare in New Jersey and served as the director of the Association for Retarded Children in Southern New Jersey.

Telling people about the love of his Savior was the greatest joy of his life. He also enjoyed traveling, painting and spending time with his family and many friends.

With God's grace, Bill's lifelong commitment to share the gospel continued until the Lord called him home. In all things may God be glorified.

In addition to his parents and eight siblings, the Rev. Thurston was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kristal Beveridge.

<B>THURSTON </B>— Visitation for the Rev. William E. Thurston, who passed away Sunday, May 6, 2012, will be at the Faith Fellowship Church, 200 Fared Drive, Butler, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and for one hour before the service on Saturday. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Richard Jenks, the Rev. Thurston’s son-in-law, officiating.Interment will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Cemetery in Karthaus.Memorial contributions may be made to Florida Holiness Campground Association, Lakeland, Fla., to Gideon’s International, Auburndale, Fla., to Forestville Wesleyan Church, Forestville, N.Y., or to Cattaraugus Wesleyan Indian Church, Irving, N.Y.Arrangements are under the direction of <B>Hile Funeral Home,</B> Chicora.Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.