Joplin, Mo. William F. Abernathy, age 79, of Joplin, Mo. passed away at 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2016 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Bill was born November 12, 1936 in Richmond, Va. He received his Master’s Degree in Librarianship from the University of South Carolina, and his Doctorate in Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. Bill was the former Pastor of the Slash Christian Church in Peaks, Va., and the West End Church in Richmond, Va. He moved to the Joplin area in 1987 when he became the Director of Library Services at Ozark Christian College. In 2002 he moved to Gravette, Ar. to become the minister of First Christian Church. He held that position for 4 ½ years and then returned to the Joplin area, where he was actively involved in the Christian faith, and was currently attending First Christian Church of Joplin. Bill served as a former President of the Association of Christian Librarians and was a consultant to libraries in Barbados, St. Vincent, Jamaica, Haiti, Palestine, Israel, and Kenya. Bill volunteered at George Washington Carver National Monument, Precious Moments, and Freeman Hospital Informatin Center.

Bill married Sandra Bremner March 28, 1959 in Richmond, Va. And she survives. He is also survived by a brother, Hugh B. Abernathy Jr. and wife Virginia, Richmond, Va.

Memorial Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2016 at College Heights Christian Church Chapel with David Johnson, Jeff Snell, and Greg Hafer, Ministers, officiating.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. Saturday until the Service at the Church. Inurnment will be at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are requested to the Harry Hoosier Endowed Scholarship for Black Americans at Asbury University, Wilmore, Ky, or Ozark Christian College Library, in care of the Mortuary. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.