W. E. Dowell

1914-2002

 

A Tribute And Legacy

President Baptist Bible College
  1975-1983

 

 

Dr. Dowell's Personal Beginning Biography

William Edgar Dowell, born July 8, 1914 in Redbank, Texas, The youngest of ten children of a farmer and Baptist Preacher Albin Dowell. His precious mother Elizabeth, prayed at his birth, that one day her son would be called to preach. His godly environment of Bible Training  introduced him to a life of serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The young man for whom his mother had prayed was called to preach one cold, winter night at the age of 19, while visiting Edgar who pastored in Merkel, Texas. At a prayer meeting, after his brother's sermon on dedication to God, Dr. Dowell promptly answered God's call to preach, determining that, live or die, he would preach the Gospel. He began his ministry by helping with the young people and assisting in other aspects of the church which his father pastored.
During another visit to Merkel, Texas for a holiday family reunion, Dr. Dowell met his future wife, Nola, who was conducting a young people's Christmas Program. Mrs. Nola Dowell was 91 years old and still going strong last I heard 4 years ago. One of his brothers jokingly confided in him, "If I were you, I'd marry that girl."
Dr. Dowell took another good look and replied, "You know, I just might do that!"  Later that evening, when his sister told him she was going to walk Nola home and invited him to join them, Dr. Dowell quickly responded "I'd like to go, but I don't think it would be necessary for you to come along." Soon thereafter, Dr. Dowell and Nola fell in love. They were married on September 2, 1934.

Historical Biography Of Service To Our Lord

Dr. Dowell followed in his brothers footsteps as Pastor of the Northside Baptist Church of Merkel, Texas, his first pastorate. He would later spend six years in California, where he Pastored Churches in Lynwood and La Habra, and organized churches in Corcoran First Missionary Baptist Church and South Gate Fundamental Baptist Church. Then in 1941, the High Street Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri, called Dr. Dowell as their Pastor. During the 22 fruitful years he spent pastoring the Church, the attendance grew from 400 to 2,700 members. He had a daily radio program as well as two weekly television programs.
Dr. Dowell also presided at the historic Texas Hotel Meeting which generated the Baptist Bible Fellowship and Baptist Bible College. Dr. G. B. Vick, President of the new college, chose to locate the school in Springfield, Missouri because of the Queen City's central location and the close proximity of the High Street Baptist Church. Dr. G. B. Vick Pastored Temple Baptist in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Dowell, who had been elected President of the new fellowship, extended the aid of his church to the aid of the infant college, and BBC's classes met for the first year in High Street's Educational Building.
In 1963, Dr. W. E. Dowell was called to Pastor the Jacksonville Baptist Temple in Jacksonville, Florida. He served there for 5 years, and during that time Bob Jones University conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate for his faithful service and outstanding Ministry. Dr. Dowell returned to Springfield, Missouri in 1968 to serve as Executive Vice President of Baptist Bible College, realizing the opportunity to expand his ministry by helping to train others.
In 1973, Dr. W. E. Dowell was asked to Pastor, by the Lord's leading, Baptist Temple in Springfield, Missouri. Baptist Temple grew to become one of the leading Churches in Springfield. It averaged nearly 1,000 in Sunday School and operates the 450 student Christian Schools of Springfield, which offers the community quality education on both the Elementary and Secondary Levels.
When Dr. G. B. Vick went home to be with the Lord in 1975, Dr. Dowell was the logical choice to succeed him as President of Baptist Bible College. Dr. Dowell lead the College forward as President – 1975-1983 and Chancellor until he went home to be with the Lord, May 2, 2002. Under his administration, the school has achieved accreditation from the American Association of Bible Colleges and has expanded it's areas of study. At the same time, BBC has been careful to maintain it's spiritual fervor and provide the practical opportunities necessary in training men and women to serve the Lord.
One who cared deeply about each student who comes to BBC, Dr. Dowell termed the sensation of watching men and women study at the college and then go out to serve the Lord as "A thrill that human words cannot describe." He considered himself privileged to have the opportunity of training and shaping others to carry on God's work, and his endeavor has contributed to the lives and ministries of thousands of BBC graduates.
In addition to his Presidential and Pastoral duties, Dr. Dowell has done evangelistic work all his life, holding revivals all over the country. A world traveler, he has visited and preached in twenty five foreign countries.

Personal Family Biography

Dr. and Mrs. Dowell have three children. Janet, who is married to Bernie Rodgers, a long time pastor and evangelist living in Ocala, Florida. Bill, Jr. who succeeded his father as pastor of Baptist Temple and now serves as Academic Dean at Baptist Bible College and Clyde, who Pastors the Laurel Baptist Temple in Laurel, Maryland.   He is also survived by his precious wife Nola, now 91, nine grandchildren, twenty two great grandchildren and five great, great, grandchildren.

 

A Tribute From A Son

Bill Dowell, Jr. revealed his personal feelings toward his father, "I thank God for a father who carries greatness with a humble spirit - a man who has maintained the qualities which made him great: honesty, integrity, compassion, conviction, courage, humility, and good judgment. He has been affectionately called a big teddy bear because he is so gentle and lovable. But he is bold as a lion when he is fighting for the things in which he believes. Perhaps he stands as the most loved and respected man in the Baptist Bible Fellowship because of his great character and integrity. He is, in summary, the greatest man I've ever known."
 

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More Pictures to share of Dr. Dowell and his life! Click Here
Shared with us by his precious wife Nola and son Bill Jr.
Assistance by Baptist Temple of Springfield and staff.
Biographical research by Renae Thompson

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