Billy R. Kidwell, 95, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville.
He was born on November 4, 1928, in Montague County, Texas, to the late Paul and Velma (Gentry) Kidwell.
Bill was a graduate of McPherson College in Kansas, Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago, and United Theological Seminary in Dayton. He served as pastor of congregations in the Midwest, including Mack Memorial Church of the Brethren in Dayton and New Carlisle Church of the Brethren. After retiring he remained in the Dayton area serving as interim pastor at West Charleston Church of the Brethren and Bear Creek Church of the Brethren, as volunteer minister of pastoral care at Oakland Church of the Brethren and as interim campus pastor at Bethany Seminary on Richmond, Indiana. In addition to serving as a parish minister, Bill spent a year in Brethren Volunteer Service teaching at the Brethren Academy in Castaner, Puerto Rico; a year as a chaplain resident at the University of Virginia Hospital in clinical training and during the 70’s, Bill was on the associate staff of the Dayton Pastoral Counseling Center. Bill was a diplomat in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. John Kidwell of Bridgewater, Virginia.
Bill is survived by his wife, Peggy (Ballinger) Kidwell; two sons, Dr. David Kidwell of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Philip Kidwell (Leslie Ngo) of Newbury Park, California; one stepson, El Jay Richards (Christina Corsaro) of Columbus, Ohio; two step-grandchildren, Levi and Sophia Richards; and many other family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Brethren Retirement Community Chapel.
Guests may visit with his family on Saturday from 1:30 PM until the start of the service at 2:30 PM in the chapel.
Tribute Funeral Homes is serving Bill’s family.
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.tributefuneralhomes.com.