Rev. Dr. Wilbur Bethel

Wilbur Bethel, AKA Mighty Fine, departed this earthly life for his everlasting life with the Lord on May 20, 2021 after a brief illness at Grant Hospital in Columbus. Wil was a product of the Oakdale Public School system in Louisiana. He began his Christian journey at St. Peters Baptist Church in Oakdale. He is preceded in death by his parents Irma Ridley and Will Bethel; brothers Clenard, Joe, C.H., and Leroy Harris; sisters, Mackie Mae Harris and Rebecca DeWalt. After graduating from high school, Wil enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he served in the Vietnam War and traveled extensively throughout the world. He laughingly told many stories of those days that would bring much laughter and tears. He was a blessed man, and his life was spared on more than one occasion. MS Wil Bethel received the following medals: Vietnam Service/Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy E Ribbon, National Defense Service, Sea Service Deployment, Good Conduct, and Southwest Asia Service. He retired from the Navy after serving 20 years in 1992. Wil received the call to preach, he said “one Friday evening when he was on the road to hell.” He tried to ignore the voice telling him to go forth and preach His word, but his pastor told him to stop running and listen to the call. Having accepted the call to preach, he enrolled at Virginia Bible College and received his degree as a Doctor of Divinity. He became active at his home base in San Diego until moving to Fort Worth, Texas. In Fort Worth, he quickly joined Faith Hope Baptist Church where he served as an Associate Pastor and Sunday School Superintendent. On a visit to his sister Helen, he met his future wife Patricia and decided to move to Columbus. Once in Columbus, he visited many churches, but fell in love with Good Samaritan Baptist. The congregation and Rev. Payne accepted him with open arms, and Wil had found his church home. He continued as a faithful warrior for Christ and served Good Samaritan as an Associate Pastor and Sunday School Superintendent under Rev. Arnold L. Randolph, Jr. He especially loved Vacation Bible School and all of the children who came out to learn and sing about the Lord. Wil leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife, Patricia; children, Wil Bethel, Jr., Sabrina Bethel, and Coco Ainsley; step-son, Scott (Kim) Meadows; sisters, Helen (Walt) Williams and Joyce (Hubert) Bonner; brothers, Steve (Emita) Bethel and Robert Hosea; grandchildren, Alanna, Jalyn, and Braden Meadows; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and church families of Good Samaritan and Clair UMC. The family of Wilbur Bethel would like to thank the medical staff of Grant Hospital, Dr. Cassandra Suggs, Diehl-Whittaker Funeral Home, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Good Samaritan Baptist Church, and Clair United Methodist Church for providing exceptional care to Wil and the entire family during this time in our lives. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Good Samaritan Baptist Church, 1680 E. Fulton, St., Columbus, OH 43205 in the “Honor/Memory of Wilbur Bethel.”