William Rhoades

– Rev. William L. Rhoades, age 83, of Bowling Green, died on July 20, 2017 after a lengthy illness.  William was born in Reid, KY on May 30, 1934, the son of the late Dan Rhoades and Lorene (Harris) Rhoades.  He attended Owensboro Daviess County High School.  He was saved in 1955 at Rosine, KY and was called to ministry in October 1956.  William married his lovely wife Naomi (Collins) Rhoades on April 28, 1956.   After being called to preach, he attended Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN earning a Bachelor of Divinity Degree.  After graduation in June of 1963, they moved to Paducah, KY for his first pastorate.  They remained there for 6 years, and then were called to pastor Bowling Green First Church of the Nazarene on August 6, 1969 where he served for 29 years.  During this time he served on the District Advisory Board, Youth Camp Director, Trustee at Trevecca Nazarene University, ministered at the local jail and many other capacities.  He retired on August 2, 1998, but soon found retirement was not for him, and took a pastorate for 5 years at Glasgow KY, First Church of the Nazarene.  From there, he moved back to Bowling Green and once again the desire to minister inspired him to pastor the Smith Grove United Methodist Church for 5 additional years.  Finally William’s health demanded that he retire from his love and passion, “serving the Lord through preaching”.  He is survived by his wife Naomi (Collins) Rhoades, 4 children - one daughter Deborah (Rhoades) Meredith her husband Richard of Bowling Green, 3 sons James Rhoades and his wife Anne of Bowling Green, Mike Rhoades and his wife DeAnna of White House, TN, and Rev. Stephen Rhoades and his wife Regina of North Port, FL; 6 grandsons Ryan Meredith and his wife Jenni, Cameron Rhoades, Jared Rhoades, Sterling Rhoades, Garrett Rhoades and Will Rhoades; 2 granddaughters Ceann Meredith and Victoria Rhoades; 3 great grandchildren Zoey, Evie Jo and Kash Meredith.  Besides William’s parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Hugh Rhoades, Donald Rhoades and Carolyn (Rhoades) Boone.  William’s surviving siblings are his twin brother Bob Rhoades of Paducah, KY, Charles Rhoades of Owensboro, KY, JoAnna (Rhoades) Holland of Columbia, TN and Juanita (Rhoades) Brock of Jacksonville, FL.

Funeral Service for Rev. William Rhoades will be held Monday, July 24, 2017 at First Church of the Nazarene at 2:00 p.m.  Burial will follow at Bowling Green Gardens.

Visitation will be held at First Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, July 23, 2017 from 3:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. and Monday 12:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. with service starting at 2:00p.m.