Anniversary

September 1, 1920- January13, 2005

William Camby Crummett was the son of the late Aaron Camby Crummett and Mary Virginia Armstrong. He was born on September 1, 1920 in Highland County, in the Shenandoah Valley at Headwaters Virginia. He departed this life during his sleep, at home in Winston- Salem, North Carolina, January 13, 2005.

Everyone knew William as Bill. Bill was fond of telling about his childhood, of attending a one- roomed schoolhouse in the valley, of him and his brothers playing in the Cowpasture River that flowed across their property in front of the old home place. He would tell of boyhood mischief, taking leave from school at recess and romping through the woods, sometimes across the river and up the opposite mountainside, playing “Fox and Hounds”. He told of how his father was a hard working man, a farmer and a county constable. He would tell of how being in a farm family meant each of them helped each other, whether feeding the chickens, drawing water from the well, working in the fields or stringing green beans on the porch with their mother, which was one of his tasks.

Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior while attending the Headwaters Presbyterian Church.

When he was 13 years old Bill contracted polio. For three years he was confined to the use of a wheelchair in a full body cast. It was during this time of confinement that Bill watched his mother and learned about food preparation and cooking. The doctors prepared Bill and his parents for the inevitable fact that he would never survive to adulthood. It was sometime during this period that Bill made a promise to God that if God allowed him to live, he would enter the ministry.

Bill went on to complete the 8th grade at Headwaters School, and then went to McDowell High School where he graduated with eleven other students.

In spite of the fact that he was told that he could not attend college because of lack of funds, Bill attended Lees McRae college in Banner Elk NC and received his Associate of Arts degree in 1945. From there he went to then Appalachian State Teachers College, obtaining his BS degree in 1948; having worked his way through both colleges.

During his days at Appalachian Bill met two Methodist ministers, Curtis Murray and Worth Sweet. Both of these ministers were serving Methodist charges while attending college. Through Murray’s and Sweet’s encouragement they convinced Bill that he could join the Methodist church on profession of faith and thereby get on with preaching the gospels. Eager to serve his calling, Bill left the Presbyterian Church for Methodism in just that manner. The next week, he was serving six Methodist churches on the West Jefferson charge, among them Nathan’s Creek.

Bill attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He was admitted on trial to the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church in 1949.He was ordained a Deacon in 1951, full membership in 1952, and Elder in 1953.

Bill was introduced to June M. Brincefield by fellow pastor Jack Cooke in 1949, while serving on the Union Grove-Zion charge in the Statesville District. Recapping the events of their first date, Bill told Jack “I’m gonna marry that girl.” They married November 4, 1950. William Jr was born October the 15th, 1954, while Bill was serving the Crouse charge in the Gastonia District. Son Robert Stephen was born June 7th, 1956 during Bill’s tenure at Hoyle Memorial in Shelby.

Bill loved his boys. He would probably tell you that one of his best accomplishments in life was raising two fine boys. He played with them, took them everywhere- to the Blue Ridge Parkway for Sunday picnics, to Tanglewood Park to go fishing, trick or treating at Halloween, Windy Hill Beach , Boy Scouts and Vacation Bible School. He read to them from storybooks, watched cartoons with them (a favorite was Roadrunner and Wiley Coyote), took them to the movies, and at bedtime, prayed with them.

Bill was a stamp and coin collector and a photographer. He also was an automobile enthusiast, enjoying classic cars. He had a preference for Chrysler products, and he enjoyed attending antique automobile shows with son Robert for many years.

Bill will be remembered for his gardening, especially roses. He enjoyed cooking, and was quite accomplished in the kitchen- his world traveled Christmas “Crummett” fudge, his macaroni and cheese, and his lasagna- as well as being a gracious host.

Bill was a faithful husband and a helpmate to June all of their 54 years. He faithfully prepared most of the meals and helped maintain the household while June worked outside the home once the children were of school age.

Bill’s history with the United Methodist Church could be characterized as a building ministry. When church plants needed to expand or when parsonages needed to be built, it seemed the District Superintendents were always calling on Bill. Through Bill’s leadership and encouragement, several churches “went station.” Congregations were strengthened, and multiple church pastorates became single ones under Bill’s guiding hand.

Bill was known and revered by all for his visitation ministry. He ministered to the shut- ins, and as he itinerated among the Districts, he also visited in all of the hospitals, ministering to the sick of the congregation and their loved ones.

In the pulpit Bill was a storyteller. His sermons, like parables, would weave in and out of the scriptures with living illustrations drawn from literature, current events, poetry, music, and life experience. Through stories and examples, Bill shared the richness and wonder of God’s love for His creation. When Bill would stand in the pulpit and the Spirit of the Lord would come over him, Bill was emboldened and enlivened, preaching with power and conviction.

Bill enjoyed congregational singing. Not surprisingly, perhaps, a favorite was “The Church in the Wildwood”.

Bill’s “first” retirement date was in 1987. After that time he returned to do supply work on the Forsyth Stokes charge in the Winston-Salem District. He preached his final sermon on August 24 2003 at Antioch United Methodist Church in Crouse on the occasion of their homecoming.

Bill sustained a ministry of 53 years in 27 Methodist churches in dedication and commitment to serving the Gospel message. He touched the lives of many, many people with his kind and gentle spirit, a reflection of the love and new life which had been given him through faith so long ago in that little weatherboarded Presbyterian church in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.