It is with great joy that we celebrate the homegoing of Dr. William Roland Connor. Elder Connor was born on June 7, 1926 in Mounds, Illinois as the youngest son of Mr. William R. Conner and Mrs. Bessie M. Frazier. He passed away on October 25, 2022.
In 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served 3 tours overseas and received numerous medals of honor. William R. Connor is a veteran of the Korean War and World War II. His experience in the Army played a very important role in his life and he frequently recalled his stories of the five years he lived in Japan, the two years he lived in Germany and how he was declared MIA in the Korean War. The military informed his mother of his death, only to later discover that God had spared his life and he survived the wicked temperatures on the combat field and was able to return home to his family. He would often explain to loved ones how this experience changed his life forever and contributed to his salvation in Christ.
Upon arrival back in the USA, William Connor moved to Ohio to join his brother Haywood Conner. There he attended the University of Toledo and studied Law before switching to Barber College where he received his Barber license.
In 1956, Elder Connor was wedded to Helen A. Connor and they were happily married for 29 years until her passing in 1985. Together, they raised four daughters, one of Elder Connor’s greatest self-proclaimed accomplishments.
In 1957, William Connor was born again in Jesus name, under the ministry of Elder Solomon Smaw. In obedience to God, William built Bethesda Church in Holland, OH in October 1969 and then built his family a home in the adjacent lot. Elder Connor has been a highly regarded pastor in the Apostolic community for many years. In 1986, Elder Connor married Roberta Connor, who he loved and cherished deeply. Together, they have traveled the world and allowed their ministry to take them to countries abroad, including Kenya, France, and England. Elder Connor’s love for God carried him through his education toward receiving a Doctorate in Theology from Biblical Apostolic University in 2001.
Throughout his life, some may know him as a successful real estate broker, a postal worker, a successful insurance salesman, a book publisher, a historian, a friendly neighbor, a caring pastor, a chef to the homeless, a competitive scrabble partner, a counselor for your needs, a friend who’s always there, a prayer partner in the middle of the night, or possibly a brilliant man who enjoys a good cup of coffee with a warm piece of pie and a scoop of ice cream. Regardless of who you are, those that were around him at any point in all of his 95 years, considered themselves to be blessed by his presence.
Dr. William Roland Connor is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Roberta Connor, his children Karen (Michael) Russell, Reshay Thompson, Natalie (James) Hafford, Roselyn Connor, and Lillian Abed. He was the proud grandfather to 9 grandchildren, eight on Earth and one in Heaven, to his 10 great-grandchildren; and to a host of family members who went before him.
Aishitemasu = Japanese – I Love You
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 10 am until the Funeral Ceremony at 11 am, all at First Pentecostal Apostolic Church, 2965 Blue Rock Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45239. Military Funeral Honors and committal will follow at 2 pm at Dayton National Cemetery, 4400 W. Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45428.
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