Bishop Willie L. Balthrop, Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

"A CHOSEN VESSELL" Bishop Willie L. Balthrop, Sr. Bishop Willie L. Balthrop Sr., D.D. passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Chippenham Medical Center, Richmond, VA, in the arms of his son, Anthony Balthrop at his bedside. Bishop Willie Balthrop, Sr., D.D. was born in the City of Petersburg, VA to the late James and Florence Balthrop on October 20, 1935. He attended and graduated from Peabody High School, Petersburg, VA. In furthering his education, he took courses from Moody Bible Institute and the American Bible College both of Chicago, IL. He also attended St. Leo College in Fort Lee, VA and Virginia State College in Petersburg, VA in 1970. He received his Doctor of Divinity Degree on May 30, 1981. Bishop Balthrop was a Licensed Insurance Agent with Virginia Mutual Insurance Company. He was a Licensed Barber, drove taxi cabs and served in United States Navy until honorably discharged in November 1960. He was employed by the former Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company in Petersburg, VA and retired to enter the ministry full-time, having been Pastor of Bethesda Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ since 1974 until his passing. Bishop Balthrop also served as Chaplain at Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Florence Balthrop; father-in-law, Deacon Willie E. Ferguson and mother-in-law, Evangelist Elnora Byrd Ferguson; along with a host of aunts and uncles. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Doris Christine Balthrop of Petersburg, Virginia; two daughters, Sharon E. Payton of Petersburg, Virginia and Tonya J. Balthrop of Prince George, VA; two sons, Willie L. Balthrop, Jr. (Wanda) of Virginia Beach, VA and Anthony Balthrop (Iris) of Henrico, VA; four grandchildren, Christopher A. Payton of Colorado, Justin Harris of Delaware, Chikyia Marissa-Monique Balthrop of Maryland, and Scharell Revell (Greg) of Florida. Bishop Balthrop started this journey over forty years ago by coming to the Lord through an affliction and through the witnessing of his Aunt Dora Davis. The then Bro. Willie Balthrop, was asked by Bishop J.S. Beane if he would accept the water Baptism in Jesus Name and Bro. Balthrop replied if it will make me feel any better than I do now, yes. The then Bro. Balthrop was baptized in Jesus Name and shortly thereafter received the gift of the Holy Ghost and became a member of Bethesda Church. Being a newly saved saint, the then Bro. Balthrop was very zealous and witnessed to most everyone he came in contact. He also witnessed to his Mother Florence Balthrop, and she was saved and a few years later his father the late Deacon James Balthrop came to the Lord and was saved, and both became members of Bethesda Church. After receiving the Holy Ghost, the then Bro. Balthrop received a strong hunger for the word of God. He began attending Bible Study, Missionary Service, and Noon Day Prayer Service under his pastor, Bishop John S. Beane. The then Bro. Balthrop began to become a student of the word and felt a call from God to preach His word. He relayed this to his Pastor, Bishop Beane that he knew the Lord had called him to preach. Bishop Beane walking with a limp down the aisle said, "That's good son, now go sit down until you get something in you to preach." Bro. Balthrop was devastated that his pastor was not ecstatic about his call to preach, but he was obedient to the man of God and sat down and continued to attend Bible Study, Missionary Service and Noon Day Prayer and absorbed the word from his pastor. The then Bro. Balthrop attending the missionary service taught by Mother Miranda Beane, they called him "Missionary Balthrop." In 1965 he was ordained an Elder. He was tutored by Bishop J. S. Beane and took courses from Moody Bible Institute and the American Bible College both of Chicago, IL. He also attended St. Leo College in Fort Lee, VA. The then Elder Balthrop worked diligently with Bishop Beane. As his assistant, he preached on the street corners for three years and was blessed with a work at Baltimore Corner in Ford, Virginia. His rent was $3.50 per month. Min. Balthrop married Ms. Doris Ferguson, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Willie Ferguson of Disputanta, VA, in June 1968. From 1968 to 1971, Elder Balthrop preached to the walls. After getting discouraged he told his wife he was going back to Bethesda because his work wasn't yielding any fruit. Sis. Balthrop told him, "No you are not going back; you said the Lord called you to preach so preach." Through this encouragement. Elder Balthrop and his family stayed at Baltimore corner preaching to the walls and the Lord began to bless. Through his consistency and faithfulness, he was able to win three souls to the Lord: Buck Gates and his wife (was known as the meanest man on Baltimore Corner) and Sis. Effie Austin who remained with him as a member. The Lord had put confirmation on his work. He baptized all three of these souls at Bethesda. God was blessing but the devil was still busy. A member of Bethesda had offered Elder Balthrop a church on Terrace Avenue in Petersburg, VA. They had the lights and water turned on and provided him with the keys. But it came with a condition, he had to split Bethesda Church. Elder Balthrop was not a thief, nor was he going to hurt his spiritual Father Bishop Beane. So, he gave those keys back to this person. But see how God works. This same church that was offered to Elder Balthrop the wrong way, came available through the then Elder Wesley Taylor and Bishop Beane put his approval on the move and Elder Balthrop took over the church which was named St. Mark Bible Way Church. He was able to get the same church but didn't have get it the wrong way. For three years Elder Balthrop preached the word on Terrace Avenue and the Lord blessed. On one Saturday they were putting on rally to get a bus and telephone at the church. Bishop Beane came by that evening and embraced Elder Balthrop and told him, not to buy a pew, a bus or telephone for this church because you won't need it. The next week Bishop Beane had died. Elder Balthrop had been faithful to Bishop Beane. Regardless of trials, tribulations, ostracism, and criticism, he has never stopped pointing souls to Christ. On May 26, 1974, at 4pm Elder Willie Balthrop, Sr. was installed as pastor of the Bethesda Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (The Mother Church of the State of Virginia for Bible Way Churches World Wide & Bible Way International) 459 Harding Street, Petersburg, Virginia. When Elder Balthrop took over the church in 1974 it had seventy-eight members and $1,200.00 in the treasury. For the next nine years Elder & Sis. Balthrop work diligently. Sis. Balthrop was a very idealistic and put on many building fund drive programs because Elder Balthrop saw the need and the Lord had placed in his heart to build a church. It made economic sense due to the heating costs being incurred. Moreover, on May 30, 1981, the then Elder Willie L. Balthrop received his Doctor of Divinity Degree. Under the now Dr. Balthrop his ministry grew, a highlight of Dr. Balthrop's ministry was his invitation to preach by his Presiding Apostle, the Late Apostle Smallwood Williams. Dr. Balthrop membership had grown to over 500 plus and at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia, he was one of the first Bible Way preachers to bring a 500-voice choir. Through the creativity of Sis. Doris Balthrop they were able to raise more than $85,000.00 to set aside to build a new Church but all were not on board. A faction of the membership caused a split in God's house about seven years after the then Elder Willie Balthrop taken over the church. Nevertheless, the work must go on. Elder Balthrop his family and the remaining of congregation were able to do what many said could not be done. A contractor, Garfield Dillard was hired, and the old Bethesda was demolished to make way for the Greater Bethesda Bible Way Church. In 1983 the Old Bethesda was demolished. To God be the Glory, Dr. Balthrop's vision for a greater work for the was coming to fruition. For the next year the saints worshipped in the dining room next door while the Greater Bethesda was being built. "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness in the Lord in the Land of the living," Psalm 27:13. In 1985, we were cutting the ribbon to the Greater Bethesda Bible Way Church. The Lord proved all things are possible to them that believe. At the dedication service for the church the late Bishop Smallwood Williams elevated Elder Balthrop, Sr., D.D. to District Elder At-Large. District Elder Balthrop continued expanding his outreach of his ministry with a Prison Ministry at Camp 13, an all-women's prison, in Chesterfield, Virginia, where he baptized many that were incarcerated and would also receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Dr. Balthrop was invited by Dr. Grady Powell, former Pastor of Gillfield Baptist Church of Petersburg, VA, to join the Downtown Churches United where he served the homeless. Constantly, expanding his ministry Dr. Balthrop was a radio and tv (WRIC 8) evangelist. He broadcasted each Sunday Night (WDYL 92.1) from 7am to 7:30pm for almost 30 years declaring to lost souls that you have "One Life to Live & One Soul to Be Saved TM" was District Elder Willie Balthrop, Sr., D.D.'s trademarked motto whether you greeted him in the street, preaching a funeral or a revival. In 2000, Apostle Lawrence G. Campbell, Sr., Presiding Bishop & Chief of Apostle of Bible Way International, bestowed upon District Elder Balthrop and elevated him to the office of Bishop of Bible Way International, which he was consecrated to the Bishop prick at the Bible Way International Convocation in Richmond, Virginia. Bishop Willie L. Balthrop, Sr., D.D. has been faithful and consistent to his calling, to wife, his family and his church, may his sweet soul rest in the arms of God until the Lord Jesus comes back for the Resurrection, your work on this side has been done. Rest on! Rest on! Until We Meet Again, Rest On! "One Life to Live & One Soul to Be Saved TM" A Homegoing Service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at the Zion Apostolic Christian Memorial Temple, 1601 Youngs Rd., Petersburg, VA, with Dr. Suzie Wright, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at the Virginia Veteran's Cemetery at Amelia, Amelia, VA. Bishop will lie in state on Monday, May 23, 2022 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. at Tucker & Fisher Funeral Home and 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at The Greater Bethesda Bibleway Church, 459 Harding St., Petersburg, VA. Masks will be required. In lieu of flowers the family request that a donation be made to The Greater Bethesda Bible Way Church. Final Care and Compassionate Services are being provided to the family by the professional staff of Tucker & Fisher Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg, VA (804)324-5529.

Bishop Willie L. Balthrop, Sr.

October 20, 1935 - April 20, 2022